FALLS By: Jason Balogh MSPT, Cert. MDT

Falls are common areas that the therapists at Advanced Rehabilitation treat patients for. In the past, this area was not well recognized, but as time has passed the significant improvements and great outcomes from physical therapy have been studied and more physicians and patients are using PT to improve safety, gait, and quality of life in these areas. 

Statistics:

• More than 1 in 4 older adults fall each year

• Resulting in  2.8 million injuries treated in ER’s

• 800,000 are hospitalized

• 28,000 die annually due to falls

Contributing factors:

• Medications

• Environment

• Visual Problems

• Medical issues

• Weakness

• Loss of motion

• Vestibular problems

Ways to prevent falls:

• Staying active

• Having eyes and hearing tested

• Standing slowly

• Routine doctor visits to monitor medical status and medications

• Removing hazards in your home (i.e.: throw rugs, cords across the floor)

• Having appropriate lighting

• Using appropriate assistive device as recommended by your healthcare provider

• Using handrails

• Well fitting non-skid shoes

If having falls or near falls, physical therapy is a great option. During your evaluation your range of motion and strength will be assessed as well as your ability to “balance” often using a screening tool called the Berg Balance Test. Often positional testing will be done as well as multiple vestibular screening tests and gait analysis. A program will be developed that is individualized to improve your deficient areas to improve safety, walking, and your quality of life out in your environment.