Focus on falls prevention: A quality improvement initiative

Vision loss is known to be directly related to the ageing process and has profound consequences for the independence of seniors. Causes of vision deficits in seniors, such as cataracts and refractive errors, are correctable and have been found to be associated with falls and fractures. Yet, minimal attention has been directed toward developing policy and services to address any possible association between vision and mobility. A falls prevention pilot initiative was undertaken over a 4-year period to provide vision care services to residents in long term care facilities in a major Canadian city. Vision care services included: vision screening, on-site optometry services, appropriate eye care referrals; facilitation of vision intervention(s); vision education; and vision intervention follow-up. Available data revealed substantial reductions in the number of falls and fractures in the participating facilities. In 2010, the project became a permanent program, making vision screening part of the falls prevention policy in a major regional health authority.