Help prevent falls and injuries

Each year, one in every three adults ages 65 and older falls.* These falls can lead to injuries such as hip fractures and head trauma, and can even increase the risk of early death. Clinical guidelines related to fall prevention recommend that each year you talk with your patients over the age of 65 about problems they may have related to falling, walking or maintaining balance. For your patients who report a fall, efforts should be directed at determining the cause and providing strategies to reduce future fall risks.

* Hausdorff JM, Rios DA, Edelber HK. Gait variability and fall risk in community-living older adults: a 1-year prospective study. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2001;82(8):1050–6.

Topics: Preventive care