Definition:

'Fall prevention' is a variety of actions to help reduce the number of accidental falling suffered by older people. Falls and fall related injuries are among the most serious and common medical problems experienced by elderly. Nearly one-third of older persons fall each year, and half of them fall more than once. The most consistently proven predictors of fall risk are history of a fall during the past year and gait and Balance abnormalities.

Symptoms:

• More than 1 fall in a year period
• Greater risk in adults greater than 65 years of age
• Weakness in lower extremities
• Poor balance
• Inability to single leg balance for 1 minute without reaching for support

Causes:

• Lower extremity muscle weakness
• Occupations at elevated heights or other hazardous working conditions
• Alcohol or substance use
• Socioeconomic factors including poverty, overcrowded housing, sole parenthood, young maternal age
• Underlying medical conditions, such as neurological, cardiac or other disabling conditions
• Side effects of medication, physical inactivity and loss of balance, particularly among older people
• Poor mobility, cognition, and vision, particularly among those living in an institution, such as a nursing home or chronic care facility
• Unsafe environments, particularly for those with poor balance and limited vision

Treatment:

• Lower extremity strengthening exercises
• Balance program
• Lower extremity stretching
• Muscle endurance training