Falls & Mobility Issues

Take steps now to prevent a fall and a long recovery after

Falls pose a major threat to the health of senior adults. A fall can result in serious injury, from concussions to bone fractures. It often takes a long time to heal from these conditions, keeping you from living an active lifestyle that is essential for healthy aging.

As an older adult, you are more at risk for falls than younger adults for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Decline in function
  • Decreased muscle strength
  • Loss of balance
  • Side effects from medicines

Falls are particularly dangerous for patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. These patients are unable to play an active role in their rehabilitation, meaning a long recovery time spent in bed. The longer you are bedridden, the more likely you are to develop secondary conditions such as pressure ulcers and infections.

Preventing Falls

Falls are highly preventable. From medicine management to home safety inspections, IU Health provides services focused on protecting your health over the age of 65.

IU Health physicians work with you to ensure that you know your limits and provide education to make your home safer, such as installing ramps and handles. Strength-building exercises also improve your balance and reduce your risk for falling. Do not be afraid to ask for help standing, sitting and walking, or to ask your doctor about walkers or canes.

Overview

As an older adult, you are more at risk for falls than younger adults for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Decline in function
  • Decreased muscle strength
  • Loss of balance
  • Side effects from medicines

Falls are particularly dangerous for patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. These patients are unable to play an active role in their rehabilitation, meaning a long recovery time spent in bed. The longer you are bedridden, the more likely you are to develop secondary conditions such as pressure ulcers and infections.

Preventing Falls

Falls are highly preventable. From medicine management to home safety inspections, IU Health provides services focused on protecting your health over the age of 65.

IU Health physicians work with you to ensure that you know your limits and provide education to make your home safer, such as installing ramps and handles. Strength-building exercises also improve your balance and reduce your risk for falling. Do not be afraid to ask for help standing, sitting and walking, or to ask your doctor about walkers or canes.

IU Health physicians ensure that your environment, medicine and exercise keep your fall risk as minimal as possible. Services to prevent falls include:

Fall History

You and your family answer a series of questions to determine if there is a common factor that may have caused your falls, such as location or time of day. These questions are the building blocks of a prevention plan best suited to your needs, as they’re designed to assess how safe you are in your home. Even small things like wearing different shoes or not wearing glasses can increase your risk for falls.

Medicine Assessment

Some medicines increase your risk for falls. For instance, if blood pressure medicines drop your blood pressure too low, you may become dizzy and lose your balance. Antidepressants can also cause balance issues. Your medicines are carefully assessed to determine how they interact and if they are decreasing your mobility. As necessary, your medicines can be adjusted and your primary care physician can be informed about the change.

Referral to Specialists

Physical therapists and occupational therapists teach you safe exercises to increase your strength and balance. You may be referred to IU Health therapists for rehabilitation in your home or in outpatient clinics. Therapy may include exercise or performing normal daily tasks. Muscle weakness may not be the cause behind falls. Other ways you perform activities, such as how you stand up, take the stairs or lift objects, may be affecting your balance. Occupational therapists specialize in teaching you how to perform these tasks in safer ways.

Referral to Assisted Living

If your home environment is no longer safe for you, your doctor can refer you assisted living or extended-care facilities that offer around-the-clock care and improved safety. The best location for you will depend on where you would like to live, what level of care you need and other factors.

Treatment

IU Health physicians ensure that your environment, medicine and exercise keep your fall risk as minimal as possible. Services to prevent falls include:

Fall History

You and your family answer a series of questions to determine if there is a common factor that may have caused your falls, such as location or time of day. These questions are the building blocks of a prevention plan best suited to your needs, as they’re designed to assess how safe you are in your home. Even small things like wearing different shoes or not wearing glasses can increase your risk for falls.

Medicine Assessment

Some medicines increase your risk for falls. For instance, if blood pressure medicines drop your blood pressure too low, you may become dizzy and lose your balance. Antidepressants can also cause balance issues. Your medicines are carefully assessed to determine how they interact and if they are decreasing your mobility. As necessary, your medicines can be adjusted and your primary care physician can be informed about the change.

Referral to Specialists

Physical therapists and occupational therapists teach you safe exercises to increase your strength and balance. You may be referred to IU Health therapists for rehabilitation in your home or in outpatient clinics. Therapy may include exercise or performing normal daily tasks. Muscle weakness may not be the cause behind falls. Other ways you perform activities, such as how you stand up, take the stairs or lift objects, may be affecting your balance. Occupational therapists specialize in teaching you how to perform these tasks in safer ways.

Referral to Assisted Living

If your home environment is no longer safe for you, your doctor can refer you assisted living or extended-care facilities that offer around-the-clock care and improved safety. The best location for you will depend on where you would like to live, what level of care you need and other factors.

Patient Stories for Falls & Mobility Issues

HealthinAging.Org

This website explores the risks involved with falls and how to prevent them.

Resources

HealthinAging.Org

This website explores the risks involved with falls and how to prevent them.