Prevent Falls At Home
By: US CPSC
Statistics
Every year, 1 in 4 adults over the age of 65 experience a fall, and it is estimated that 2.8 million older adults require hospitalization as a result of a fall (Elliott & Leland, 2018). Falls can result in hip fractures, traumatic brain injury, and a limitation in performing daily living tasks (Elliott & Leland, 2018).
Risk Factors
Through univariate analysis, systematic reviews, and meta-analysis evaluation, Bradley (2011) explains that the risk factors for falls in older adults include lower extremity muscle weakness, history of prior falls, vision problems, arthritis, cognitive impairment, impairment in strength, depression, being older than 80 years old, polypharmacy, gait, and balance impairments. Other fall risk factors include using assistive equipment and difficulty performing daily living activities (Lyons, 2005).
What To Do In Order To Prevent Falls In The Home?
By: Jacob Edward
Multicomponent and Multifactorial Interventions That Can Be Used To Prevent Falls
- There are also multicomponent interventions that older adults can participate in order to prevent falls such as tai chi, taking vitamin D supplements, withdrawing from psychotropic medications, and opting for early cataract surgery (Bradley, 2011).
- Additionally, Bradley (2011) stated that there are multifactorial interventions that older adults can do including assessing medications, addressing vision problems, managing orthostasis, changing the environment, and training in balance, strength, and gait, which will all help prevent falls.
Exercises Designed To Help Improve Fall Prevention
Fall risk can be decreased by managing medications, making home modifications, and exercising every day. Make small steps each day to create life-changing effects.
References
Bradley, S. M. (2011). Falls in Older Adults. Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, 78(4), 590–595.
https://doi.org/10.1002/msj.20280
Elliott, S., & Leland, N. E. (2018). Occupational Therapy Fall Prevention Interventions for
Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review. American Journal of
Occupational Therapy, 72(4), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.030494
Fluid Health and Fitness. (2019, November 11). Fall Prevention – Designed to Move [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyd_WAzCm0o
H2Health. (2022, September 8). Fall Prevention [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpvCxfFBXCc
Lyons SS. (2005). Evidence-based protocol fall prevention for older adults. Journal of
Gerontological Nursing, 31(11), 9–14. https://doi.org/10.3928/0098-9134-20051101-05