Senior Safety for Healthcare Providers

The American Geriatrics Society recommends that all older adults be asked by their healthcare providers if they have fallen in the past year. For older adults who have fallen or report a gait or balance problem, a multi-factorial risk assessment is recommended. Falls in older adults are often the result of the multiple risk factors. Healthcare providers can best help minimize the risk of falls and fall related injuries in seniors by learning the most common risk factors for falling and the appropriate interventions to reduce the risk of falling.

The most common risk factors for falls in older adults are:

• Taking four or more medications or taking certain medications.
• Being physically inactive-less than 30 minutes of exercise at least three days a week.
• Has  had a previous fall
• Urinary incontinence
• Chronic health conditions: Parkinson’s, diabetes, heart disease
• Impaired vision
• Poor footwear
• Owning pets
• Environmental hazards
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Depression and social isolation
• Fear of falling
• Poor lower body muscle strength or impaired gait
• Dizziness or vertigo

Interventions to reduce the risk of falling focus on increasing physical activity and improving strength and balance, managing medications and reducing environmental hazards. The following information will guide you to the best practices and programs for reducing falls in your patients:

Facts about falls:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Fall Prevention
Report on the Burden of Injury from Unintentional Falls in Ohio

Screenings and assessment:

American College of Physicians
American Geriatrics Society
Minnesota Falls Prevention
MaineHealth Resource Manual for Healthcare Providers (pdf)

Environmental Hazards:

Clermont County Senior Safety Checklist (pdf)
Senior Safety Brochure (pdf)

Clermont County Community Resources for Falls (pdf)
Senior Safety Brochure (pdf)

Updated: 03/23/2011