As we age, falls may become more prevalent. Falls also become more detrimental the older we get, due to longer healing times needed for an aging body. If you or someone you know is at a risk for falling or has unsteadiness when they walk – a physical therapist (PT) may be able to help prevent falls!
Factors Affecting Falls
When patients present with a lack of strength, endurance, and overall mobility – they may be at a higher risk of falls. Patients that have multiple comorbidities – that may take numerous medications – can experience side effects from medications that may cause a loss of balance that result in falls.
PT’s can assess a person’s static (while standing still) and dynamic (while moving) balance with different standardized tests and measures. Some common measures used in a physical therapy clinic are: 30s sit to stand test, dynamic gait index, functional reach test, Rhomberg test, BERG balance test, BESTest and mini BESTest, and the Tinetti – just to name a few.
These can assess a patient’s ability to maintain their balance while walking, with different head positions, standing still, and while completing functional tasks. They can also highlight certain activities that a person may need the most help with.
How a Therapist can Help Prevent Falls
With physical therapy, there are many interventions that can be implemented to decrease the risk of falling. After in depth assessment – PTs can implement balance training, strength training, and endurance training to improve overall balance. Oftentimes, a PT will also discuss activities that can be completed at home to optimize their outcomes.
If falls are inevitable, it is important that a patient learn the safest and most efficient way to recover from a fall, too. This may mean practicing “falling” and learning how to get up without the help of someone else. It may also include education on fall alert devices in the case that someone is unable to get up safely.
If you or someone you know has experienced a fall, is unsteady, or is fearful of falling – reach out to a physical therapist to intervene. Physical therapists can also complete a home accessibility assessment where they come directly to the home. Being in the home can allow the therapist to assess the layout, possible fall risks in the home, and edu a patient on ways to prevent and/or recover from falls inside their house.
If you’re in the local area and want help reducing the risk of falls for yourself or a loved one, book an appointment here or call the office to learn how we can help.
