Today marks Falls Prevention Awareness Day. Organized by the National Council on Aging, observance of the day on the first day of fall has grown across the United States from 11 states in 2008 to 48 states plus the District of Columbia.
According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries in older Americans. The group recommends lifestyle adjustments, evidence-based fall prevention programs and community partnerships to help reduce the risk for falls among seniors.
The following is a list of the latest news and research on falls and fall prevention:
Older patients do not participate in fall prevention activities
Patients aged 65 years or older who report to the ED for fall-related injuries are less likely to participate in a fall prevention program upon discharge, according to an article in published in Injury Epidemiology. Read more.
Tai chi may prevent falls in older, at-risk adults
The traditional Chinese practice, with its emphasis on flexibility, coordination and harmonized motion, may help reduce the rate of falls among older and at-risk adults, according to findings published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society. Read more.
Previous fracture, low BMI, fall history predict imminent fracture risk
Patients with history of falls, along with a BMI of 20 kg/m² and previous fracture, are more likely to sustain an additional fracture, according to findings published in Bone. Read more.
Falls, syncope significantly high in older
adults
Older adults who met inclusion criteria for an intervention trial on systolic blood pressure were five times more likely to experience injurious falls and syncope, according to an article published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Read more.
Reference:
www.ncoa.org/healthy-aging/falls-prevention/falls-prevention-awareness-day/
