Fall prevention is critical for all age groups and walks of life, but especially for older adults. With the SMART method, fall prevention can better fit the needs and capabilities of each individual.
Whether you are a senior with limited mobility or a healthcare professional, developing SMART goals will structure your plan. In this post, we will look at examples of SMART goals for fall prevention.
What is a SMART Goal?
The SMART framework can allow you to establish fantastic goals for fall prevention. SMART for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based.
Let’s dive deeper into each SMART letter:
Specific
Setting fall prevention goals requires an honest assessment of an individual’s physical abilities and limitations. This should involve identifying any medical conditions that may increase fall risk.
From there, people can work with healthcare professionals to make a personalized plan for improving balance and strength through exercise routines.
Measurable
It is necessary to have measurable goals that can be tracked over time. Without goals tailored to the person’s needs and limitations, it becomes difficult to assess progress or identify areas that require improvement.
Attainable
It’s easy to get caught up in grandiose ambitions and lofty aspirations. After all, who doesn’t want to achieve great things? But there’s a fine line between dreaming big and setting yourself up for failure.
That’s why it is key to be realistic when pursuing goals. You may be able to accomplish more than if you had aimed too high from the start.
Relevant
Creating relevant goals that align with your values is crucial to success. Make sure your goals reflect what you truly believe in and stand for. This alignment will keep you motivated even when things get tough. Without this connection, you may struggle to feel unfulfilled even if you do reach your objectives.
Time-Based
It’s time to take control and hold yourself accountable on this journey. And the key to doing so lies in having a robust time frame. Without a deadline, we procrastinate important tasks until it’s too late. We fail to gauge our progress and achieve greatness.
13 SMART Goals Examples for Fall Prevention
Here are some examples of SMART goals for fall prevention:
1. Identify Risk Factors
“By the end of three months, I want to identify and evaluate risk factors that could lead to falls among the elderly. I hope to work with medical professionals and other stakeholders to create a list of risk factors that need intervention.”
Specific: The goal is concise, stating the objective and how it will be met.
Measurable: You can track the number of risk factors and the degree of their impact.
Attainable: By working with medical professionals and stakeholders, you can assess which risk factors must be addressed.
Relevant: This is important as it will help identify and evaluate risk factors that could cause falls.
Time-based: You have a three-month end date to reach success.
2. Adjust Home Environment
“I’ll assess the home environments of families at risk for falls and provide recommendations on reducing risk factors within four months. I hope to ensure families can access the necessary resources to make their homes safer.”
Specific: This statement outlines what you must do (assess home environments and provide recommendations) and when it must be done (within four months).
Measurable: You can count the assessments you’ve done and the recommendations provided.
Attainable: Assessing the home environments of families is absolutely doable.
Relevant: Ensuring families access the resources to make their homes safer reduces their fall risk.
Time-based: Goal completion is anticipated after four months.
3. Strengthen Muscles and Bones
“I will create and manage a program that helps strengthen muscles and bones to diminish the risk of falls within three months. This program should include activities such as exercise classes and physical therapy sessions.”
Specific: You have a program of activities, such as exercise classes and physical therapy sessions.
Measurable: You should count the number of times you participate in each activity.
Attainable: This SMART goal is feasible if you manage your program diligently.
Relevant: The statement relates to the main objective of strengthening muscles and bones.
Time-based: Three months are required for goal achievement.
4. Increase Balance Training
“I will strive to introduce balance training as part of our fall prevention program for the next 6 months. I want to empower people with the knowledge and resources necessary to maintain their balance.”
Specific: The aim is to introduce balance training as part of the fall prevention program.
Measurable: Track how many sessions are held and how many people attend.
Attainable: Introducing balance training requires finding the appropriate instructor and scheduling classes, which can be done in 6 months.
Relevant: Balance training will help people maintain their balance, decreasing fall risk.
Time-based: You need 6 months to achieve your SMART goal.
5. Schedule Medical Checkups
“To improve overall health and reduce the risk of falls, I will hold mandatory medical checkups for all patients over 65 every four months. All checkup appointments should be tracked, and results will be provided to their primary care physicians.”
Specific: This is explicit because it details the requirements for medical checkups and holds accountable those responsible for conducting these checkups.
Measurable: Success will be evident in the medical checkup results of the patients.
Attainable: The SMART goal is realistic if personnel and resources are available.
Relevant: Medical checkups are essential for understanding overall health, which is directly related to fall prevention.
Time-based: Goal attainment should occur every four months.
6. Adapt Clothing and Footwear
“I will promote a program that allows senior citizens to get adapted clothing and footwear at no cost within 5 months. That way, they can make sure their clothes and shoes fit properly and lower the chance of falls.”
Specific: The statement is to promote a program that provides adapted clothing and footwear.
Measurable: Check if the program is in place and implemented within the deadline.
Attainable: The goal can be achieved by working with various organizations and individuals.
Relevant: Adapted clothing and footwear are essential in reducing the risk of falls among senior citizens.
Time-based: Completion of this goal is expected after 5 months.
7. Implement Assistive Devices
“To improve fall prevention awareness and diminish falls, I want to provide education on the appropriate use of assistive devices, such as walkers, canes, and grab bars. I also plan to ensure these devices are available where a fall may occur within 6 months.”
Specific: The goal is clear and concise, stating precisely the overall objective.
Measurable: Patients can track their knowledge and understanding by providing education on the appropriate use of assistive devices.
Attainable: Work with medical staff to provide the necessary education and resources.
Relevant: This goal is appropriate for fall prevention because it increases awareness of potential risks.
Time-based: There is a 6-month window to accomplish success.
8. Review Fall Risks Regularly
“I want to review fall risks for the elderly in our nursing home once every three months and update the policies accordingly to reduce the chances of falls. I’ll also review the protocols and training materials to ensure they are up to date with best practices.”
Specific: This goal clearly outlines what you need to do (review fall risks and update policies) and how often you need to do it (once every three months).
Measurable: You can count the times you’ve reviewed fall risks and updated policies.
Attainable: Performing regular risk reviews and policy updates is definitely possible.
Relevant: Reviews and updates help identify potential fall risks and protect the elderly.
Time-based: You should anticipate success every three months.
9. Improve Nutrition and Hydration
“I will make sure that all residents have a nutritious, balanced meal plan and access to clean, safe drinking water over the next two months.”
Specific: This goal is to guarantee that all residents have access to proper nutrition and hydration.
Measurable: You can check if everybody has a food plan and if clean water is available.
Attainable: This can be reached by providing nutritious meals and reliable fresh drinking water.
Relevant: Eating nutritious food and drinking clean water is vital for maintaining good health.
Time-based: You have a target time frame of two whole months.
10. Get Adequate Sleep
“I’ll aim to get at least 8 hours of quality sleep each night to help prevent falls from exhaustion or sleep deprivation. I want to keep a log of my sleep patterns and work to make sure I’m getting the necessary rest each day.”
Specific: The individual wishes to get 8 hours of quality sleep each night.
Measurable: You’ll track sleep patterns in a log to ensure you get the necessary rest each day.
Attainable: This is doable by making sure sleep is scheduled into your daily routine.
Relevant: Getting adequate sleep may help prevent falls from exhaustion or sleep deprivation and is pertinent for fall prevention.
Time-based: This goal is ongoing and should be monitored on a daily basis.
11. Remove Tripping Hazards
“I will identify and remove all tripping hazards in the building or outdoor spaces by the end of 5 months. This should include any objects that may cause someone to trip and slippery surfaces.”
Specific: The overall aim is to identify and remove tripping hazards.
Measurable: You could count the number of potential dangers before and after they are removed.
Attainable: Removing potential tripping hazards is feasible over the 5 months ahead.
Relevant: This goal is appropriate for fall prevention, as it will help keep people safe from tripping.
Time-based: The SMART statement is to be completed within 5 months.
12. Educate Caregivers
“Within the next 7 months, I’d like to implement an educational program for all caregivers who work with elderly patients. I aim to ensure they have the knowledge and understanding necessary to care for elderly patients properly.”
Specific: The goal is clear. You want to implement an educational program for caregivers who work with elderly patients.
Measurable: It can be gauged by the number of caregivers who have gone through this educational program.
Attainable: Ensure you research and develop the program effectively, which is absolutely doable.
Relevant: This is relevant to the individual’s aim to care for elderly patients in the best way possible.
Time-based: Seven months are needed to meet this particular goal.
13. Improve Vision Screening
“I’ll create a comprehensive vision-screening program for seniors within 6 months that involves testing, referral to eye care professionals, and follow-up visits. I want to ensure seniors receive the proper vision care needed to decrease their fall risk.”
Specific: The SMART goal is explicit because it outlines the actions for creating a vision-screening program.
Measurable: You could gauge the program’s effectiveness by tracking seniors’ referrals to eye care professionals and follow-up visits.
Attainable: Creating a comprehensive vision-screening program within 6 months is reasonable.
Relevant: This statement applies to improving vision screening for seniors.
Time-based: There is a 6-month time frame to accomplish the goal.
Final Thoughts
Fall prevention is an important topic that many people do not think about until it’s too late. Creating SMART goals can help you set realistic and achievable targets to reduce your risk of slipping or tripping.
Identify a few that fit you and take the necessary steps to make sure you attain them. With the right approach, there will be a greater chance of success. So don’t wait—start setting up your SMART goals today.
