Balance, Falls, and Home Safety

Age-Related Changes

1. Posture

2. Coordination

3. Gait Changes

4. Visual Changes

5. Decreased Reaction Time

6. Decreased proprioception

7. Decreased muscle strength

Posture

Alignment of body parts in relation to one another & orientation of the body to the environment

• Key to balance

• Aging process changes postural alignment

Coordination

Ability to execute smooth, accurate, controlled
movements
• Involve multiple joints and muscles activating at the appropriate time with appropriate force
• Slower eye-hand coordination, decreased bilateral coordination, same side movements, manual dexterity

Fall Definition

Event that results in a person inadvertently coming to rest on the ground, floor, or other lower level (e.g., bed, chair), with or without injury

Not a normal part of aging

60% of falls occur within the home

Near Fall

A slip, trip, stumble, or loss of balance with recovery and remaining
upright

• Loss of balance with recovery with direction ( forward, backwards, etc)

• Add assistance needed for recovery

Cycle of Falling

1. Fall

2. Fear of Falling Again

3. Inactivity

4. Decrease in Muscle Strength

5. Imbalanced Gait

6. Increased Risk of Falling

Risk Factors for Falls

Intrinsic
• Medical conditions
• Impaired Vision & hearing
• Age-related changes in neuromuscular function
Extrinsic
• Medications (side effects)
• Wrong AD or misuse of AD
• Environmental hazards

Fall Prevention

Education

Exercise

Fear of Falling exercises

Environmental Modification

Multifactorial Fall Prevention Programs

Otago Exercise Program

• 52 Weeks

• A series of 17 strength and balance exercises

• Reduces falls between 35% and 40% for frail older adults

Tai Chi

Principles: Movement control, weight transference, integration of mind and body

Improves balance by strengthening muscles and coordination

Strengthens minds, improving calmness and reducing fear of falling