1 in 3 Seniors Will Fall This Year. Physical Therapy Can Make Sure You’re Not One of Them.

Falls are a big deal. They can cause injuries and make it hard to live on your own. They can also make you afraid of falling again. This fear might make you less active, which can make you weaker and more likely to fall. It is a tough cycle to break.

Falls are not a normal part of aging. Physical therapy can reduce your risk and help you stay independent. Here are some ways your therapist can help.

Creating a personalized exercise plan

Being active helps prevent falls. Your therapist will make an exercise plan just for you based on what your needs are and what you like to do. This should be fun! Think about going on walks, dancing, aquatic exercise, or practicing yoga.

Making Your Home Safer

Many falls happen at home. Simple changes like removing tripping hazards and using night lights can make a big difference. Your physical therapist can help you with these and recommend other modifications to make your home safer.

Strength and Balance Exercises

Strong muscles and good balance are key to preventing falls. Your therapist will show you specific exercises that help with both.

Addressing underlying health issues

Falls are often the result of multiple factors. Your therapist can work with your other doctors to address things like vision problems, heart issues, incontinence, or diabetes that might make you more likely to fall.

Take the first step.

If you are worried about falling or if you have already had a fall, do not wait to get help. Talk to your physical therapist. With the right help, you can stay strong, keep your balance, and keep doing the things you love. Our physical therapy services and our Live Your Life FALL FREE wellness program are dedicated to helping you stay on your feet and stay active and independent.

Take that first step towards better balance and a more active life. Your future self will thank you!

References:

1. Exercise for falls and fracture prevention in long term care facilities: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2013;14(9):685-689.e2.
   1.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23860265/
2. Preventing Falls in Older Persons. Am Fam Physician. 2017 Aug 15;96(4):240-247. PMID: 28925664.
   1.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28925664/
3. The Effectiveness of Physical Therapist–Administered Group-Based Exercise on Fall Prevention: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy 36(4):p 182-193, October/December 2013.
   1. https://journals.lww.com/jgpt/fulltext/2013/10000/the_effectiveness_of_physical.5.aspx?casa_token=r5fLfvxztA0AAAAA:9yaeibFmZiCeIZiQcSOVcbWkWpA_8spTG-bNT2UFa-D2Dc7tljHsv3VW5XfmnvIySLNwrJDd7aqnJTsfdHmRqK8
4. Exergame technology and interactive interventions for elderly fall prevention: A systematic literature review
   1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003687016302265
5. Reducing the Risk of Falling and Injuries From Falls: Research on the Value of Physical Therapy
   1. apta-handout-falls-research.pdf
6. Physical Therapy Guide to Falls
   1. https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-falls
7. Fall Prevention Starts with a Conversation
   1. https://www.ncoa.org/article/falls-prevention-conversation-guide-for-caregivers
8. Balance and Falls
   1. https://www.apta.org/patient-care/public-health-population-care/balance-and-falls