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.

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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
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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
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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
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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.
Posted by HealthQuest
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