Topics in Geriatrics: Falls and their Risk Factors

Topics in Geriatrics: Falls and their Associated Risk Factors among the Elderly

                - Almost 1 in 4 adults over the age of 65 fall each year, which leads to falls being the leading         cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries within the elderly population.­1 It is important for patients and clinicians to see how both can work together to help prevent/reduce the risk of falls among the elderly and understand why they fall so frequently.

Objectives:

1. Understand the risk factors that cause older adults to fall

- Common risk factors that are seen in elderly fallers include: poor vision, muscle weakness, gait or balance deficits, comorbid conditions (like diabetes, heart failure, obesity, etc), polypharmacy, and fear of falling.2

2. How can Physical Therapy reduce fall risk

- Physical therapists can implement testing and training programs to help reduce the chances of an elderly person falling. The therapists utilize outcome measures such as: Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, and the Dynamic Gait Index to grade fall risk in elderly population.3 Different ways that physical therapists can train elderly patients are through: strength training, balance training (with both standing still and moving activities), community/home training, and neurological reeducation.3 More information and resources can be found on the APTA website

3. What home modifications reduce fall risk

- Here are some quick fixes around the house that an older adult can use to reduce their risk of falls (from the National Council on Aging): install light sensors along walkways that turn on automatically when it is night time, put commonly used household items in places that are easy to reach, clear the paths of all walkways within the home, use a non-slip shower mat to increase safety in the bathroom, install a handrail or add a second one on stairs if they are becoming more difficult to go up and down.4

Take Home Messages:

· Regularly see your physician and have him check your medications to make sure you aren’t at an increased risk for falling.

· Exercise daily at a light to moderate intensity for 30 minutes as many days of the week as possible to build/maintain strength.

·The easiest way to prevent falls is to be proactive, google search “fall prevention screenings” to see if any are taking place in your area; you may be at risk and not even realize it!

 

References

1. https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/falls-prevention-facts/

2. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/prevent-falls-and-fractures

3.   http://www.apta.org/uploadedFiles/APTAorg/Practice_and_Patient_Care/Patient_Care/Physical_Fitness/Members_Only/PocketGuide_Falls.pdf

4. https://www.ncoa.org/blog/falls-prevention-home-18-step-safety-checklist/