Fall Prevention
For older adults, falls are one of the greatest causes of serious health problems. Studies show that approximately 5 percent of falls by older adults result in a fracture. Twenty-five percent of patients over the age of 65 with hip fractures die within six months, 25 percent lose significant function, and 50 percent experience a decrease in mobility.
Entry into the Program
A doctor’s referral based on increased risk due to age, history, medication changes, muscle changes, degenerative joint disease, post arthroplasty or osteoporosis is necessary.
The program consists of two parts:
Fall Risk Assessment
The fall risk assessment determines if you are “at risk” of falling. A series of tests will identify the factors causing you to be “at risk.” The factors may be physical, such as strength, balance, walking speed, step length, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness or environmental, such as hazards around your home.
Conditioning
The conditioning part of the program is designed to modify the factors causing you to be “at risk.” The physical factors are modified with an exercise plan designed just for you. Environmental factors are modified by helping you to eliminate hazards at home.
Modifying the factors that lead to falls will increase mobility and confidence, both critical to maintaining an independent life style.
