Falls Prevention
Falls are the leading cause of injuries to older people in the U.S. More than one third of adults aged 65 years and older fall each year.1 Falls may be caused by accidents, changes in living environment, or side effects from medicines. They can also occur as a result of changes associated with the aging process, including muscle weakness, declining vision, poor balance, lower activity levels, gait disturbance and slower reaction times.
Research shows that balance training can reduce the risk of falls. Balance is a skill that almost all of us can keep throughout our lives. Much of the deterioration in balance associated with age is simply due to not using this skill.
Our balance and falls prevention assessments include:
- Gait and balance assessments
- Posture evaluation
- Range of motion and strength appraisal
- Functional assessment (for example, reaching, standing to sitting movements)
Each person who completes a balance and falls prevention assessment will be provided with:
- An assessment of risk for falls
- Recommended actions to reduce risk for falls (for example, exercises or, assistive devices)
- An individualized balance training program
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Fact Sheets. Falls Among Older Adults: An Overview. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/adultfalls.htm. Last updated: June 27, 2007.
Learn more about some injury prevention activities:
