Falls Prevention: How Proactive Steps can Mitigate this Rising Epidemic among Seniors

Between one-half and three-quarters of seniors living in nursing communities fall every year, and experts say soaring rates of fall-related death and injuries are one of most significant health issues facing today’s aging society.

The good news: many falls can be prevented with proactive screening and intervention programs that address the many causes – from underlying medical conditions and medication side effects to issues as simple as bad lighting to poorly placed rugs or furniture.

Learn how one Optum-led project in three senior communities reduced falls by a third, and falls-related hospitalizations by 100%, in this just released whitepaper that details key components of effective fall prevention programs:

• Risk assessment – Stop falls before they happen through regular screenings to identify residents at risk, and why. 
• Medication reviews — Many medications seniors take for chronic conditions like blood pressure, cardiac issues, pain, depression, and anxiety can increase their risk for falls. 
• Vitamin D Screening — Vitamin D deficiencies contribute to orthostatic hypotension, which can make people feel off-balance or dizzy. 
• Therapy — Therapy and exercise are key to keeping muscles strong. Weekly exercise classes and access to therapy services are important tools.

Most important, remember that falls are not a normal part of aging. To learn more about how you can reduce falls in your community download now!

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