Falls Prevention for Older Adults
Falls are not a normal or inevitable part of ageing. They are, however, the leading cause of injury-related death in people over the age of 65, and the leading cause of hip fractures in the elderly. A fall can be the event that shifts an older adult from living independently to needing full-time care, which makes fall prevention one of the most important things we work on at JW Bio.
The good news is that fall risk is significantly reducible with the right approach. Here is what that approach looks like.
Why falls happen
Falls are rarely the result of a single cause. They happen at the intersection of multiple factors: muscle weakness, poor balance, gait problems, medication side effects, vision changes, and environmental hazards. This means preventing falls requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses all these factors together, not just one in isolation.
The four pillars of fall prevention
There are four areas that research consistently identifies as central to reducing fall risk:
- A targeted exercise programme. Strength, balance, posture, gait, coordination, and functional movement all deteriorate with age and inactivity. A biokineticist designs and supervises an exercise programme that works specifically on the deficits most relevant to your fall risk profile.
- Medication review. Multiple medications taken together can interact in ways that cause dizziness, drowsiness, and reduced coordination. A specialist geriatrician or your treating doctor can review your medication list and identify whether any adjustments are possible.
- Home safety assessment. Environmental factors contribute to around half of all falls that occur at home. An occupational therapist can do a formal home safety assessment and guide you through the modifications that will reduce your risk most effectively.
- Vision. Poor vision disrupts balance and makes it harder to see and avoid obstacles. Keeping your prescription up to date ensures you are working with the best possible vision.
What the biokineticist specifically works on
Within the exercise component, we work on five key areas: lower body strength, static and dynamic balance, gait patterns, coordination, and functional movement patterns specific to your daily life. Programmes need to be ongoing to produce lasting change.
Read next
Exercise and Healthy Ageing: Why Staying Active Is the Best Investment You Can Make
Staying Active in Winter: Why Stopping Is the Worst Thing You Can Do
Need a hand?
Contact us at https://jwbio.co.za/contact or on 011 880 4719.