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How Falls Happen and How to Prevent Them

Older adults are susceptible to slips and falls. Enrolling in an effective slip/fall prevention program can help them improve mobility and maintain a more active and independent lifestyle.

Slips and falls affect the independence of older adults and result in injuries which prevent them from leading an active and healthy life. According to the National Safety Council, falls accounted for about 8.9 million visits to the emergency department annually. While steps can be taken to remove environmental trip and fall hazards, enrolling in an effective fall prevention program can help the elderly prevent slips and falls, improving mobility, and maintain a more active and independent lifestyle.

Factors Responsible for the Risk of Falling

Both physical and environmental factors can put people at risk of falling. Physical factors that cause a person to be at risk include strength, balance, walking speed, step length, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness. Poor eyesight and medications used can also contribute to the risk of falling.
Environmental factors include hazards around the home. Common locations where falls tend to occur are doorways, ramps, cluttered hallways, uneven surfaces, areas prone to wetness or spills, unguarded heights, ladders, stairs, and so on. Poor lighting, small objects in pathways, unstable seating, and unsteady handrails can all cause slips and falls in and around the home.

How a Slip/Fall Prevention Program Helps

Leading healthcare centers offer effective slip and fall prevention programs that are covered by Medicare and other insurance plans. A comprehensive program can extend over four weeks, including evaluation, exercise programs, interventions, and reevaluation.
At the initial evaluation, the possibility of falls is evaluated with the following:


Evaluation of overall health

Check of blood pressure and heart rate

Balance test

Walking test

Knee and angle strength test



Based on this assessment, the individual's risks of falling are assessed and advice is given on how to avoid them. The program would also aim at identifying environmental hazards and providing guidance on how to avoid or minimize the risks that can cause falls at home.
A typical slip and fall prevention would include measures to improve


Strength

Step length

Cardiovascular fitness

Balance

Walking speed

Flexibility



The participant is then provided with a personalized exercise program to modify the physical factors which contribute to the risk of falling. This would include


Isokinetic Testing and Exercise to improve identify weakness and improve leg and ankle strength

Balance program to improve the ability to stay upright even when faced with a challenging condition

Gait analysis and training to test walking speed and enhance confidence and safety while walking



Falls are Preventable

If you are 55 or older, you are at risk of trips and falls. The good news is that falls are preventable. To improve your ability to lead an active and independent life, enroll in a fall risk assessment and conditioning program offered by an established healthcare center. Check to see if the program is one that is consistent with the American Geriatric Society clinical practice guidelines for prevention of falls in older adults.