Creating a Fall Prevention Plan
Falls are preventable, and physical therapy can help to significantly reduce the risk of falling.
Falls are among the most common problems faced by aging individuals. It is the leading cause of death by injury in people aged 65 or more in the United States. Falls can lead to severe injuries that can affect the body’s normal movement and function and instill fear of falling, restrict movement and activity in older adults and prevent them from living independently.
According to CDC, around 36 million falls among older adults are reported yearly, leading to over 32,000 casualties. Over 3 million end up in the emergency for treatment of fall-related injuries, like hip fractures, head injuries, or broken bones. Fortunately, falls are preventable, and physical therapy can help to significantly reduce the risk of falling.
Fall risk factors
A combination of one or more of the following factors can increase the risk of falling in older adults, including:
Problems while balancing or walking due to vision or vestibular issues
Poor well-being and sedentary lifestyle
Tripping hazards at home
Taking multiple medications
Inappropriate footwear, feet issues, and leg weakness
Orthostatic hypotension
Fall prevention and physical therapy
Individuals who suffer from loss of balance or have experienced a fall should consider physical therapy to get an effective solution for the problem. Physical therapists are trained and certified human movement experts who can thoroughly assess if the patient is at risk of falling. Some standard evaluation techniques used by a physical therapist include a review of medical history and ongoing medication, a vision test, a thinking ability test, checking parameters like heart rate and blood pressure, and an assessment of footwear, foot, balance, walking ability, and strength.
Fall prevention plan
After an assessment, if the patient is at risk, a physical therapist creates an individualized fall prevention plan to help patients improve their health and adopt the safest approach to prevent falls. For example, a physical therapy fall prevention plan may include the following:
Balance, strength, and coordination improving exercises
Dual-task training program to help safely perform two or more activities simultaneously.
Endurance training
Pain and fear management
A community-based fall prevention program
Patient education through reliable resources to help improve their quality of life and manage the risks of falls.
Additional measures like improving home safety, working with other medical professionals to treat underlying medical conditions that can increase fall risk, suggesting appropriate footwear, and overall lifestyle changes, depending on the patient’s condition.
Benefits of physical therapy for fall prevention
A fall prevention plan by an experienced and certified physical therapist can result in:
Reduced risk and fear of falling
Improved mobility
Better movement
Improved balance and strength
Enhanced flexibility and posture
Increased self-efficacy and activity levels
Prevent dangerous falls
Falls are a severe concern in the aging population, given that one out of four older adults falls each year in the country. Instead of anxiously waiting for the worst to happen, contact a local physical therapy service if there are balance issues or past falls. Experienced and certified physical therapists can help resolve balance problems and effectively treat the fear of falling through a customized fall prevention plan to help you lead an active and safe life.
If you are looking for occupational or physical therapy, vestibular rehab, wheelchair training, learning to walk, unweighting aquatic therapy, or other services in the Phoenix area, please call Touchstone Rehabilitation at 602-277-1073.