Older Americans Month 2014 Focuses on Injury Prevention
Older Americans Month begins May 1, and this year its theme is “Safe Today, Healthy Tomorrow.”
To honor the month, the Eldercare Workforce Alliance (EWA), of which PHI is a member, has released a toolkit of injury-prevention resources for eldercare stakeholders.
Direct-care workers provide between 70 and 80 percent of hands-on care for elders in long-term care settings, and, with proper training, can play a huge part in keeping elders safe and injury-free, the EWA says.
Among the dozens of resources included in the toolkit are the Fall Prevention Awareness curriculum that PHI and the National Council on Aging designed for home health aides, and an Adult Abuse and Neglect Prevention training for long-term care workers, developed with assistance from PHI.
Also listed in the toolkit are:
- many other training resources for workers;
- research on elder safety and well-being; and
- stories from elders, family members, and direct-care workers about elder safety.
Older Americans Month has been officially recognized by the federal government every May since 1963.
“During Older Americans Month, we pay tribute to our parents, grandparents, friends, neighbors, and every senior near to our hearts,” said President Obama in a presidential proclamation. “We strive to build a bright future on the strong foundation they have laid.”
— by Matthew Ozga
