Fall Prevention
Are you at risk?
- Have you fallen recently?
- Do you have problems walking?
- Do you have Osteoporosis?
- Is your balance poor?
- Do you have Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?
If you answered YES to any of the above you could be at risk for falls.
Click here for more information about Osteoporosis
Click here for more information about Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Other risk Factors for Falls
(Journal of The American Geriatrics Society, 2001)
- Muscle weakness
- History of falls
- Gait and balance deficits
- Vision impairments
- Certain medications
What can I do?
Almost everyone can regain or improve their sense of balance, you may need the skills of a physical therapist. As we age, some of us tend to lead more sedentary lifestyles whether it be because of fear of falling or simply not partaking in physical activity. Balance is a skill which requires practice. A physical therapist can help you regain or improve your sense of balance.
Fall Prevention Program
The goal of the fall prevention program is to identify those at risk and intervene with specific interventions to decrease those risks. Our evidenced based assessment will determine your fall risk. An individualized program will address your deficits.
Treatment includes: education, exercise (Strength, Flexibility),gait Training, proper shoewear education, assessment of home environment, assistive device prescription and vestibular rehabilitation.
What is Balance?
Your nervous system, muscles, and joints all work together to maintain your balance.
Three different types of sensory information are involved in your balance. The first is vision. Your eyes give you information about your environment such as obstacles, wet surfaces, or poorly lighted areas.
Second is proprioception or sense of body position and movement. Nerve endings in your joints and muscles send proprioceptive information to your brain.
The third type of sensory information comes from the inner ear. Your vestibular system detects movements from your head and neck.
Things you can do to prevent falls
- Remove things you can trip over (like papers, books, clothes, and shoes) from stairs and places where you walk.
- Remove small throw rugs or use double-sided tape to keep the rugs from slipping
- Keep items you use often in cabinets you can reach easily without using a step stool.
- Have grab bars put in next to your toilet and in the bath or shower.
- Improve the lighting in your home. As you get older, you need brighter lights to see well.
- Have your eyesight checked regularly as visual acuity can change as you age and due to medications.
- Have your pharmacist and physician check you medications and advise you if any of them will impair you balance.