Oregon hospitals are expanding their care into the communities they serve, with Wallowa Memorial Hospital leading the way through its innovative “Wallow-able” Community Balance and Fall Prevention program. This award-winning series of classes aims to prevent falls and other adverse health events, promoting overall wellness for residents.
The seeds of the program came from the hospital’s latest Community Health Needs Assessment, when hospitals survey their communities every three years to help them focus efforts on specific health issues. The last assessment, in 2022, revealed an alarming statistic: fatal falls were the third leading cause of death for Wallowa County residents over the age of 65.
Since the 65 and over age group makes up 30% of the county’s population and is known for its strong desire to live independently (in a county with few assisted living options), the rehabilitation team from the hospital’s Physical and Occupational Therapy Department went to work on creating a research-based program designed to reduce falls. It includes an eight-work course of twice-weekly classes run by licensed therapists. The classes can accommodate up to 15 people and have become so popular there is now a waiting list.
“The instructors are doing a fantastic job. Their patience is amazing,” said 83-year-old Rita Euhler. “Thank you, Wallowa Memorial Hospital, for offering this class. It has done so much to help improve my balance.”
The balance classes received a Rural Health Quality Award from the Oregon Office of Rural Health for outstanding performance in community engagement. This unique program involves participation from multiple departments including primary care, physical and occupational therapy, nursing, and emergency management.
“We are thrilled to receive this award, which demonstrates the dedication and hard work of our entire team, not just one department,” said Stacey Karvoski, quality improvement director at Wallowa Memorial Hospital.
