Fall Prevention: Help...I Don't Want to Fall!

Fall Prevention: Help...I Don't Want to Fall!:   Fall prevention is important to maintain the health and wellness of older adults.  Every year, nearly 1/3 of the population of 65 years of...

Help...I Don't Want to Fall!

  Fall prevention is important to maintain the health and wellness of older adults.  Every year, nearly 1/3 of the population of 65 years of age and older, in the United States (US), experiences a fall.  (http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/index.html)  Falls can result in minimal damage, such as a scratch or bruise, or falls can be devastating, such as a head injury, fractured bone or even death!  Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths in the US.  The point of this blog:  falls are preventable!  The following are risk factors for falls:

• decreased balance
• weakness in lower extremities
• previous falls
• dizziness/vertigo
• loss of sensation in feet
• osteoporosis
• vision loss
• chronic health problems such as arthritis, stoke or Parkinson's
• alcohol use
• medication side effects or adverse drug interactions
• environmental hazards such as exposed electrical cords, clutter, poor lighting and pets
• incorrect fit or type of assistive device

     In the very near future, it will be common-place for older adults to see their family physical therapist at least once per year, much like you do for your primary care provider and dentist.  For older adults with multiple medical conditions, this might be recommended every 6 months.
     Physical therapists (PTs) are trained to be musculoskeletal experts.  When PTs evaluate a older adult, we include a fall risk assessment, as a routine part of the initial evaluation.  There are a multitude of special tests your PT will chose from.  I have chosen 3 commonly utilized tests to inform you on fall prevention.

1. Tinetti poma Test http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/win/tinetti-test.pdf This is a test of balance and gait ability.  The score correlates to fall risk.  The data utilized is from a national data base.
2. Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/pdf/steadi/timed_up_and_go_test.pdf  This is a test of gait speed.  The score correlates to fall risk, also based on scores from a national data base.
3. One-Legged Stance Test http://www.rehabmeasures.org/Lists/RehabMeasures/DispForm.aspx?ID=1150  This is a balance screen for older adults.

     As the photo above demonstrates, what it looks like to be "off- balance", just remember there is much you can do to lower your fall risk!  (To be continued...)