Students Team Up to Educate Older Adults About Falls Risks

Three MCPHS programs came together for an interprofessional community event teaching older adults in the Worcester area strategies for preventing falls.

A woman was walking in Baltimore when she tripped, fell, and broke her wrist. The roots of a tree planted along the sidewalk had caused the concrete to lift, and she didn’t see it.

She shared this story for a crowd gathered at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) in Worcester for an interprofessional falls awareness event, an annual activity held in observance of National Falls Prevention Week.

Older adults from the area—including the Worcester Senior Center, Colony Retirement Homes, and the Grafton Senior Center—came to the MCPHS campus for the event where optometry, physical therapy, and pharmacy students presented ways residents can decrease their risk of experiencing a fall and suffering serious injury.

“This was a great way to showcase our outreach services to the community,” said Dr. Jessica Rydingsward, one of the faculty organizers. “This outreach provides community members of all ages with high-quality, low-cost healthcare and helps our students become excellent providers through hands-on experience with patients.”

The student presentation focused on three main areas of concern: vision, mobility, and medication. After a welcome from Dr. Caroline Zeind, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost of MCPHS, optometry students discussed how to properly wear and use their progressive lenses to identify and avoid obstacles, like the one that caused the woman to fall in Baltimore. They also shared helpful information about vision changes and ocular diseases that can occur with aging.

“Everyone was so engaged and asking good questions,” said Dhruvi Patel, ’27, one of the presenters from the Doctor of Optometry program. “They were really curious to know about what symptoms to watch for, which was one of our main goals for the activity.”

Next, physical therapy students explained the importance of exercise and how it can help improve balance and strength. They also addressed ways the residents can change their physical environments to lessen the risk of a fall.

“I need to be more aware of stuff getting in the way,” said Ellie Howe, an attendee from Grafton. “Rugs, pets, and other little things I should be more careful of. I thought it was just me who struggled with these things, but it’s not.”

Finally, two Doctor of Pharmacy students led an in-depth discussion about medications and possible risks associated with them. For example, sleep aids and blood sugar medications could cause dizziness or lightheadedness, which could lead to a fall. The students also explained how some heartburn medications can weaken bones, leading to a greater risk of injury.

“I thoroughly enjoyed speaking to this population,” said Shayan Mosaffa, PharmD ’25, reflecting on the response from the audience. “I found them to be more engaged than any other population I’ve worked with. They love to learn and share their experiences.”

“This activity helped residents not only learn about the different professions but also understand that they have a lot of options in the healthcare field if they need help,” Patel added.

One attendee, Sister Judy Guertin, lives independently at Colony Retirement Homes. She worked as a nurse for most of her life and still walked away with important reminders about her safety.

“The most important message I got today was to be more aware of the medications that I’m on and what the interactions can be,” she said. “As a nurse, I’m more aware of it, but I think I can be even more aware.”

After the presentation, students and faculty shared a meal with the guests, where they continued the conversation about safety and health. They also spent time sharing stories and getting to know one another.

“We talked a lot about their personal experiences falling and experiences in the healthcare system in general,” said Arthur DeMoura, DPT ’26, one of several student volunteers at the event. “They seem excited that all of us are so driven, passionate, and want to make their healthcare better.”

This was the fifth iteration of the falls awareness event but the first time it was held on an MCPHS campus, thanks to funding from an interprofessional practice and education grant. The format also allowed the patient centers and clinics at MCPHS Worcester to be present to share even more resources available to residents. Organizers said they are looking forward to future versions of this event.

“We will continue to provide community education and resources on falls awareness and prevention, on campus or otherwise,” said Dr. Cheryl Babin.

It was also a learning experience for students, who came away from the event with improved interprofessional skills. DeMoura, who volunteered at the event, encouraged his fellow students to take advantage of these kinds of events.

“Volunteer for these events and come in with an open mind,” he said. “You’ll learn much more than you expect to.”