BallyCarra reduces falls by 50% - wins Best Practice award

The Queensland Hibernian Friendly Society’s Scarborough village and care facility, BallyCara (near Redcliffe, north of Brisbane), has won the prestigious National Best Practice in Aged Care Award for reducing its residents’ falls by 50%. Approximately 15 per cent of falls require hospitalisation. General Manager Marcus Riley said his team developed the Active, Independent and Upright program and trialed it with more than 120 residents of varying age and mobility over 12 months. The three most important initiatives are balance and mobility programmes, a medication review by a GP to assess safer alternatives and a sun exposure program to improve Vitamin D synthesis. Other creative initiatives include a foyer display of footwear to encourage relatives to focus and assist. This is only the second time since inception in 1997 that the award has been won by a Queensland facility. For more information on the program call (07) 3203 7511.