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Falls are common and have adverse consequences, but are often preventable.
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Current guidelines specify that primary care providers should screen older adults for falls and risk for falling at least once a year by asking about falls and unsteadiness when walking.
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Multifactorial interventions that address many predisposing factors are appropriate for people at high risk and can decrease falls by approximately 25%.
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Three key risk factors (balance, medications, and home safety) should be addressed in
Assessment and Management of Fall Risk in Primary Care Settings
Section snippets
Key points
Clinical Practice Guideline
A 2012 Cochrane Systematic Review reported that clinical assessment by a health care provider combined with individualized treatment of identified risk factors, referral if needed, and follow-up reduced the rate of falls by 24%.14 Similarly, the US Preventive Services Task Force found that multifactorial clinical assessment and management, combined with follow-up, was effective in reducing falls.15
The American Geriatrics Society and British Geriatrics Society (AGS/BGS) have published a clinical
Management Goals for Older Adults at Risk of Falls
Goals for fall risk management include (1) reduce the chances of falling, (2) reduce the risk of injury, (3) maintain the highest possible level of mobility, and (4) ensure ongoing follow-up.
Collaborate with patients and their caregivers to address fall risk factors
Providers should explore older adults’ perceptions of the causes of their falls and willingness to make changes to reduce their risk of falling again. Approaches that facilitate behavior change include presenting the information that falls can be prevented, providing choices, personalizing options, and
Summary
Falls and their associated injuries are common and usually result from interactions among multiple fall risk factors, many of which may be modifiable. PCPs play a critical role in reducing fall risk factors among their older patients. Guidelines recommend annual screening to identify patients at increased risk of falling and comprehensive risk assessment and management of modifiable fall risk factors for high-risk patients. Regular exercise that improves strength and balance, along with vitamin
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Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.