Monday, September 23rd is Falls Prevention Awareness Day (FPAD), sponsored by the National Council on Aging (NCOA).
Did you know, according to the CDC, at least 3 million older adults visit the ER for fall-related injuries every year?1 Factors such as lower body weakness, difficulty walking, poor balance, and foot pain can all increase a person’s risk of falling but are preventable with proper rehab therapy.
Want to help your patients stay safe and active? Check out these 5 tips to decrease your patients’ chance of falling!
5 Tips to Decrease Your Patients’ Fall Risk:
1. Practice Strength and Balance
Strength building programs are key to preventing falls. If a patient’s lower body is weak or in pain, it can negatively affect their balance, leading to a higher risk of falling.
2. Strengthen Spatial Awareness
Many older adults have difficulty performing tasks while remaining mindful of where their body is in relation to other objects or surfaces. This lack of spatial awareness can often result in falls. An effective solution is “dual-task” training or having your patients practice doing two things at once, like walking while talking, standing on one foot while reaching for an item, or moving while holding an item.2
3. Create an Exercise Routine
Physical activity can improve balance, coordination, and flexibility in your patients. Recommend easy workouts, like walking, swimming, or aerobics to promote exercise without increasing an older adults risk of injury.
4. Adjust Assistive Devices
Assistive devices like canes and walkers are only helpful when they are the correct height for your patient. Make sure that your patients are comfortable with the height of their device and make adjustments if needed.
5. Check for Foot Pain
Foot injuries that heal incorrectly can cause pain and poor balance. If your patient has suffered from a foot injury and is still experiencing pain, they likely have developed restricting scar tissue that is interfering with movement and causing pain. Put your Astym therapy skills to the test to remove unwanted scar tissue and regenerate healthy soft tissues, effectively eliminating pain and movement restrictions.
Thank you to Performance Dynamics/ASTYM out of Muncie, IN for the post and information.
If you or a loved one struggles with balance or falling, call one of our clinics today and get scheduled for an appointment – 844-935-3677
