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NORWELL VNA STAFF PARTICIPATES
IN STATE-WIDE FALL PREVENTION ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION
Norwell VNA recognized for ‘Watch Your Step’ Program
April 17, 2007 (NORWELL, MA) – The Norwell Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) recently had
the honor of being the only visiting nurse association to participate in “Steps to Safety,” a roundtable discussion
centered on fall prevention and fall related injuries. The purpose of the seminar was to set a statewide agenda to
prevent falls and fall-related injuries among Massachusetts elders.
Representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Masspro, Boston University School of Gerontology,
Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Hospital Association, Massachusetts Aging Services Association, and
the Norwell VNA were among the more than 50 health care professionals in attendance.
Laurie Galvin, Norwell VNA Physical Therapist and Rehabilitation Manager, was invited to make a presentation to
attendees on “Watch Your Step,” a grant program developed and run by the Norwell VNA that is funded by South Shore Elder
Services, Inc. under Title IIID, Older Americans Act. “Watch Your Step” is currently offered at senior centers and
councils on aging throughout the South Shore.
“Watch Your Step” is designed to educate elders in fall prevention with the use of the Norwell VNA’s Individualized
Fall Risk Screen Tool. The program provides attendees with an overview of risk factors as well as suggestions for
modifying their homes to enhance safety. Attendees receive materials on an in-home safety check, home safety guidelines
and a falls prevention brochure. Individuals are screened to determine their individual fall risk factors and meet with
a Physical Therapist to review those factors. “After attending this program, participants have the tools to establish an
appropriate individual action plan for Fall Prevention,” states Galvin.
Lewis Howe, co-chair of the Massachusetts Injury Community Planning Group, invited the Norwell VNA to participate in
the event, noting that “The Norwell VNA’s ‘Watch Your Step’ program does a fabulous job in the education of elders in
fall prevention. The use of the Individualized Fall Risk Screen Tool empowers those who receive this training.”
The Norwell VNA was recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for the agency’s outstanding and
inspiring effort in informing, educating and preventing falls among seniors. In less than three months, more than 100
seniors have been scheduled and screened by the Norwell VNA’s “Watch Your Step” program.
For more information about “Watch Your Step” and additional programs offered by the Norwell VNA call Laurie Galvin
at 781-659-2342 or visit www.nvna.org.
The Norwell Visiting Nurse Association, located in Norwell and serving the South Shore, provides nursing, physical
therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, nutritional counseling, home health aides/homemakers and a variety of
support services and programs to patients of all ages and for all needs. The Norwell VNA has been serving the community
since 1920 providing services to residents in Norwell, Scituate, Abington, Braintree, Cohasset, Duxbury, Halifax,
Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Holbrook, Hull, Kingston, Marshfield, Pembroke, Quincy, Rockland, Weymouth and Whitman.
For more information about the Norwell VNA and its services, please visit
the web site at www.nvna.org or call 781-659-2342.
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