Balance and Fall Prevention Program

What do the statistics on senior falls tell us? 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide the following information on falls and older adults:

• The data shows that 1 in 4 Americans aged 65 suffer falls each year.
• Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in an emergency department for a fall-related injury.
• Every 19 minutes, a senior dies as a result of a fall.
• Fall victims who experience hip fractures, for example, have a 1 in 5 chance of dying within a year due to complications.
• Seniors who fall once are 100% more likely to fall again, leading to a potentially downward-spiraling cycle of reduced mobility and independence.
• Experiencing a fall often causes anxiety, depression, and even social withdrawal. This not only affect the senior’s quality of life but also their overall health and well-being.

Why do falls increase as we age?

There are numerous reasons why falls increase as we age. Some of the most common are:

Poor balance 

Balance issues can result from inner ear issues, variations in blood pressure, medications, chronic illness (e.g., diabetes), and previous injuries.

Gait problems 

The word “gait” refers to how a person walks. When a person has problems walking, they may shuffle, limp, or take uneven steps. These gait problems contribute to balance issues and significantly increase the risk of falls.

Age-related vision and hearing changes 

Normal aging causes vision and hearing changes. These are known to increase the likelihood of suffering a fall. For example, uncorrected vision problems can cause you to misjudge how high you need to lift your leg when going up or down steps. Hearing is related to balance. So, hearing problems could cause you to trip more often.

Introducing University Foot and Ankle Institute’s Balance and Fall Prevention Program 

Falls can happen for many reasons. Although the risk of falls increases as we age, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. 

UFAI’s new program, inspired by Orthotica’s Life in Balance Program, is designed to do just that.

As one of the nation’s leading foot and ankle medical practices, we have two decades of experience improving and repairing patients’ balance and gait. This expertise positions us as a great care provider for seniors in Southern California who want to remain active and fall-free.

How UFAI’s Balance and Fall Prevention Program works 

UFAI’s comprehensive risk assessment design includes five critical information categories: your medical history, a complete physical assessment, information about your ability to walk, neurological and sensory data, and facts about your day-to-day environment. This allows our clinicians to expertly assess your fall risk.

Let’s look at each aspect in more detail.

Medical history and medications 

We ask about past injuries and falls, chronic conditions, and current medications, including side effects that may impact your mobility.

A physical and functional assessment 

This includes muscle strength, joint mobility, and postural stability. We pay special attention to muscle loss and imbalances.

Gait and balance analysis 

We examine your walking patterns and conduct balance tests.

A neurological and sensory evaluation 

These tests evaluate your proprioception (body awareness) and vestibular function (balance and spatial orientation).

Environmental and behavioral factors 

We perform a home safety assessment of risk factors review of walkways, daily activities review, and assistive device use review.

Our expert clinicians study your results and responses very carefully. If a fall risk is identified, we design a personal, customized preventative treatment strategy to meet your specific requirements.

Our personalized plan often includes a combination of treatments. Here are some examples:

• A strength, balance, and flexibility exercise program with a physical therapist.
• Footwear recommendations that can aid in injury prevention by reducing the risk of a fall.
• Handrails and grab bars at strategic places in your home to reduce your chance of falling.

• Braces, including the Moore Balance Brace (MBB) which provide stability to the ankle and foot, helping to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls.

About UFAI’s individualized approach 

The podiatrists at UFAI recognize that every patient is different and that they benefit from our individual assessment and treatment plans. As a patient at UFAI, you can be confident that you will receive the best advice, care, and treatment from our healthcare providers based on our extensive risk assessment.

Is UFAI’s Balance and Fall Prevention Program right for you? 

If you or a loved one is experiencing balance problems or is at risk of falling, don't wait until an accident happens. Take control of your or your loved one’s health and safety. Contact us today to learn how our Balance and Fall Prevention Program can help you stay active and confident on your feet!

For more information or to schedule a consultation in the greater Los Angeles area, please call (877) 736-6001 or make an appointment now.

University Foot and Ankle Institute is conveniently located throughout Southern California, with podiatry clinics in (or near) Santa Monica (on Wilshire Blvd.), Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, West Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, the San Fernando Valley, Manhattan Beach, the South Bay, LAX, Westlake Village, Valencia, Santa Clarita, and Santa Barbara.

Sources

Older Adult Fall Prevention | STEADI - Older Adult Fall Prevention | CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/index.html

About Older Adult Fall Prevention

https://www.cdc.gov/falls/index.html 

Falls Prevention for Older Adults 

https://www.ncoa.org/older-adults/health/prevention/falls-prevention 

NCOA's Falls Free CheckUp

https://www.ncoa.org/age-well-planner/assessment/falls-free-checkup 

Falls Prevention for Older Adults 

https://www.ncoa.org/healthy-aging/falls-prevention 

Exercise and physical activity | National Institute on Aging

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/exercise-physical-activity 

Talking With Your Older Patients | National Institute on Aging

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/understanding-older-patients 

Falls and Fractures in Older Adults: Causes and Prevention | National Institute on Aging

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/prevent-falls-and-fractures