"Evidence-based fall prevention programs" required for funding

Federal, state, and local governments realize the extreme financial cost as more older adults fall down; an estimated 1 in 3 people over 65 falls each year (CDC, 2006).  Medicare recognizes the painfully high financial burden when the same older adult falls repeatedly; half of those who fall once will fall again (CDC, 2006).  What's happening is older adults are falling down, going to the ER and those not seriously injured are being released to the same environment in which they fell.

No education.  No intervention.  Nothing changes.   As a result, the older adult falls again and repeats the cycle; falls down, fire department called, ER visit, released home.  Medical bills rack up until something happens; the older adult either moves in with family members or an assisted living environment or moves onto be with the Lord. 

What is so painful is that fall prevention research demonstrates that over 50 percent of falls can be prevented through a multi-factorial approach.  HUH?  Educate. Demonstrate. Facilitate.

• Teach what is causing the fall or loss of balance.  Education increases awareness. 
• Demonstrate how to reduce the risk when possible.  Exercise is the number one way to prevent a fall.  Therefore, demonstrate the different types of exercise that improve balance.
• Facilitate behavior change by linking the older adult to appropriate resources; resources that teach how to reduce fall risk, demonstrate how to remain active and facilitate compliance by linking with resources. 

Federal and state governments will only fund evidence-based programs; programs that demonstrate significant fall risk reduction and/or improved balance confidence.   Medicare will no longer reimburse medical expenses related to prior admissions. 

Some evidence-based programs that are currently being promoted in California:

• Stepping On
• Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance
• Walking with Ease
• Chronic Disease Management
• Live Strong and Safe (with my Take 5 to Exercise component!)

Training for trainers is available through Public Health department and private training.  Get involved.  Get funding.  Get evidence-based programming! 

Age alone does not indicate fall risk

1 in 3 adults over the age of 65 who live in the community will fall each year. When I do fall prevention presentations, I always ask who has fallen or who is concerned about falling. Between those two questions, nearly every hand goes up. Are fall prevention statistics under estimated? Perhaps. Regardless of the statistics, the number of falls is expected to increase drastically as baby boomers advance in age.

In a recent class, there were two ladies (aged 86 and 87) who were similar in many accounts. Both live independently in the community, neither one uses an assistive device for mobility and both have fallen within the past year. This is the exact person FallProof™ was designed to help. Pre-test scores indicated that the 87 year old had significantly less lower body flexibility however she scored better in dynamic balance and agility.

What I find interesting is the post-class results. The same 87 year old increased lower body flexibility by 2.8 inches and improved dynamic balance nearly 2 seconds. The 86 year old increased lower body flexibility by 2 inches but lost one tenth of a second on dynamic balance. Both ranked in the 85th percentile of lower body strength.

	Pre S&R	Post S&R	Pre CS	Post CS	Pre 8UG	Post 8UG
86 yo	5	7	0	14	7.6	7.7
87 yo	-4.8	-1	0	14	7.1	5.4

Two average older ladies. Two very similar women who resemble your neighbor, your mother, your grandmother. Who is at greater fall risk? It would be fascinating to follow these two ladies for a year and test again. As of today, they are the same in lower body strength however the younger one demonstrates greater lower body flexibility and the older one is appreciably more agile. I think I just found a project for myself......

I am blessed to have the opportunity to educate older adults about fall risk factors, demonstrate evidence-based fall prevention exercises and facilitate ongoing compliance to an exercise routine. I love what I do and I encourage everyone to Take 5 to Exercise each day. Take 5 is my seated fall prevention DVD series and it is a perfect place for beginners to start from the comfort of home. Let's see which of these 2 ladies decides to Take 5 to Exercise each day....