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....

Leisure-time activity and fall prevention

Studying to become a certified therapeutic recreation specialist, I am learning about leisure and the importance of a satisfying leisure lifestyle. What one person values as leisure is entirely different from the next person. Leisure activities are highly individualistic and what reflect the values of an individual. I value my health so my leisure-time activities involve exercise. However, I also enjoy traveling. Due to my college-student income (or lack thereof), finances have a direct impact on the leisure activities I can enjoy.
For most, the leisure lifestyle is synonymous with the lifestyles of the rich and famous. That is the ideal; houses, boats, jets, beaches, relaxing, doing nothing. However, leisure is more than that. It can be half an hour of free time spent listening to the birds. Leisure can be playing cards with your friends or drinking a beer while watching the football game. People have different values thus people have different leisure lifestyles.
During the industrial revolution, our society valued work and the puritan work ethic. Times have changed and thanks to technology, a person doesn't have to work as hard or as long to pay the bills in order to exist. As the baby boomers retire and are forced with excessive amounts of 'free-time', people need to reconsider their leisure philosophy. The time is earned, you deserve it, what are you going to do with it? Enjoy it and feel good about your leisure. Think about what you value.
If you value your independence and your health, it would behoove you to incorporate consistent activity into your daily routine. Leisure-time activities such as following along with your favorite fall risk reduction exercise instructor (ME!), walking with friends, challenging your balance, strengthening your muscles and making the time to Take 5 to Exercise will help keep you independent and living the life you want. Freedom of choice is an essential component of leisure; a person cannot be forced to something leisurely and enjoy it.
Take the time to connect with your body and mind as you follow along with my exercise videos for seniors. Learn as you grow. It's never too late.
At your leisure,
The Fall Prevention Lady