FALLS KILL Part 1: Are YOU balanced?

FALL FACTS: A fall is defined as a sudden uncontrollable descent. Every 19 minutes, an elderly person dies by a fall. One in four people over the age of 65 years old fall each year. Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury among those 65 and older.

The good news is that falls are preventable. This series of blogs will help you identify your risk and teach you simple techniques to implement in your own home to prevent you from becoming another statistic.

IDENTIFYING YOUR RISK

Many factors contribute to falling. Risk factors can be identified and modified to help prevent falls. Talk with your doctor about medications and vitamin deficiencies that may increase your risk. Take action as this blog series will focus on simple assessments for balance, strength, walking and environmental modifications you can implement at home to reduce your risk.

BALANCE

In my practice, I use the Berg Balance tool to identify my clients’ fall risk and their balance deficits. The Berg is comprised of 14 activities using items easily found in your home. You may use this test on yourself or on another person. The results can give you an idea of how your balance may impact your fall risk. The test can also identify where interventions are needed as it may expose your weaknesses.

MATERIALS

• A sturdy chair with or without armrests;

• Step or step stool

• Yardstick or ruler

• stopwatch

COMPLETE THE BERG BALANCE TEST

• Online Berg Balance Scale Calculator (thecalculator.co)

• Print the PDF https://www.brandeis.edu/roybal/docs/Berg-Balance-Scale_Website.pdf

INTERPRETATION

• The 45 – 56 range is associated with patients who are mostly independent in their movement and have less risk of falling.

• The 41 – 44 range is associated with patients who are mostly independent in their movement, however, present with significant risk of falling.

• The 21 – 40 range is associated with almost 100% fall risk while the patient at the moment may be requiring assistance in performing certain activities of daily living such as walking.

• The 0 – 20 range is associated with almost 100% fall risk and the patient is either already wheelchair bound or may be in the near future.

If you scored less than 41/56, I would recommend using an assistive device such as a walker or cane when walking to help prevent a fall.

INTERVENTIONS

Here is a sample exercise program to increase your balance to reduce fall risk. Remember walking 30 min every day is the best way to keep your body healthy.

EXERCISE PROGRAM

• Standing HEP balance video/handout

You can also purchase a balance pad to increase the difficulty of these exercises or just use an old pillow to stand on at home. Here are some balance activities for use with the balance pad. Purchase this balance pad here or visit our store.

• Exercises With Aireex

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