Fall Prevention Guide

Comprehensive strategies and expert advice to help reduce fall risk and maintain independence for older adults.

Key Prevention Principles

Understanding the fundamental approaches to fall prevention

Primary Prevention is Key

Low falls risk does not mean no risk. Primary prevention strategies are essential for all older adults.

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Patient Self-Pay Option

New patient self-pay process allows older adults to pay for and take the CatchU test upon provider referral.

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Home Safety

Watch Those Thresholds!

Floor thresholds between rooms should be as low as possible and slope at the edges to prevent tripping. Maximum safe height is ½" in commercial establishments, but lower is better.

Contributor: Katie Paulaski, OTR/L, Bedford VA HBPC Occupational Therapist

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Watch Out for Automatic Doors

If you are on the wrong side of an automatic door, it can hit you and knock you down. Be prepared for automatic doors to open and never stand in front of them.

Contributor: The team at Sunrise, Lincroft, New Jersey

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Preventing Falls Around the Home

The National Council on Aging reports that 30% of seniors fall each year, leading to about 800,000 emergency department visits. Check your home for hazards.

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Health & Medical Factors

Tell Your Provider About Falls

Be sure to tell your provider if you experienced a fall. A fall can be a risk factor that is modifiable with treatment. Don't be embarrassed - be your own best advocate.

Contributor: Pat Quigley MSN, PhD, MPH, Patricia A. Quigley, Nurse Consultant, LLC Falls Expert

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Omeprazole and Balance Issues

Many people take omeprazole for acid reflux. Two potential side effects, vertigo and loss of balance, are not commonly known and can cause falls.

Contributor: Luigi Ferrucci, MD, PhD, Scientific Director, National Institute on Aging, NIH

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Hearing Loss Risk Factor

Our sense of hearing is used in combination with other sensory systems (vision, touch) to help us locate objects in our environment and maintain balance.

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Hypertension & Diabetes Medications

Taking medicine to control hypertension and/or diabetes, as directed by your physician, is important. It is also important to be aware of potential fall risks.

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Common Medicines that Increase Fall Risk

It's important to be aware that medicines that can cause sleepiness and/or dizziness may increase your risk of falling. Some common medicines include sedatives and pain medications.

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Exercise & Physical Activity

Strengthen Your Calf Muscles

As we age, muscle weakness is a risk factor for falling. Strengthening the calf muscles above your heel (soleus and gastrocnemius muscles) are particularly important.

Contributor: Luigi Ferrucci, MD, PhD, Scientific Director, National Institute on Aging, NIH

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The Benefits of Balance Exercises

Balancing exercises work your core muscles, lower back, and legs. Lower-body strength-training exercises can also help improve balance.

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The Benefits of Strength Exercises

Strength exercises make your body and bones stronger, decrease your risk of falls, lower your risk of injury, help you burn calories.

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The Transformative Power of Proper Walking

Good walking is an act of propulsion, of pushing yourself forward off your back foot instead of pulling yourself along with your front foot. It also reduces pressure on your knees.

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Cognitive & Brain Health

Train Your Brain to Diminish Fall Risk

As we age, our reaction time decreases. The efficiency of sensorimotor processes can be improved by brain exercising through mentally stimulating games like crossword puzzles, cards, mahjongg.

Contributor: Uros Marusic, PhD, Senior Research Associate; FECSS, Slovenian Mobile Brain/Body Imaging laboratory

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Walking and Talking Pattern

It's important to pay attention to signs that may indicate you are at a higher risk for falling. When you walk and talk at the same time, changes in your pattern may reveal fall-risk.

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Lifestyle & Daily Habits

The Importance of Sleep Hygiene

Sleep disorders occur commonly in older adults. Daytime sleepiness can occur due to sleep debt which can cause a fall. Addressing falls requires managing comorbid conditions that affect sleep.

Contributor: Jessica Zwerling, MD, MS, Professor of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

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Proper Footwear Can Reduce Fall Risk

The type of footwear you wear in the house can affect your risk of falling. People who walk barefoot, wear socks without shoes, or slippers may be at higher risk.

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Sleepwear and Bedding Fabric Fall Risk

It's important to be aware that if you wear sleepwear made of "slippery" fabric, and your bedspread/quilt/duvet are made of similar materials, this can increase fall risk.

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Seasonal Awareness

Fall Risk Awareness by Season

The change of season may provide environmental challenges that can increase your risk of falling. Be aware of some of the common causes.

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Take Action Today

Don't wait for a fall to happen. Implement these prevention strategies and consider getting assessed with CatchU® to understand your fall risk.

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