Falls can be nasty!

95% of hip fractures and majority of brain injuries in the elderly are due to falls. Neither of these two sound too much fun... Unfortunately, falls risk increases with age.

How can we avoid falls? [DISCLAIMER: Data presented here is for educational purpose only. You should speak to your doctor before applying what's presented here to yourself or others, as all of these details need to be fine-tuned on case by case basis by a qualified health care provider]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published a nifty resource to address the problem of falls under acronym STEADI: Stopping Elderly Accidents, Death and Injury. I strongly recommend using this site: https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/patient.html to get some information on this topic. 

What are some of the take away points from the CDC website?

1. If you fell twice this year or once with a traumatic fall, you are at risk of falls

2. Stay active to prevent falls

3. Get your vision checked regularly 

4. Keep your home free of tripping hazards

5. Tell your doctor if you fall

This last point can be pretty important. Unfortunately, many people believe that if you fell you should only see a physical therapist. Physical therapy is often crucial! Yet, according to the CDC's STEADI guidelines physician also needs to be involved in fall prevention care, for there are often medical problems that contribute to falls which need to be addressed in a timely fashion. 

Many primary care physicians may not be educated how to care for patients at risk of falls, so CDC has created a STEADI algorithm for physicians to help them start caring for you.

[DISCLAIMER: Data presented here is for educational purpose only. You should speak to your doctor before applying what's presented here to yourself or others, as all of these details need to be fine-tuned on case by case basis by a qualified health care provider]

Dr Atanelov, MD

CEO Steady Strides: Fall Prevention and Stroke Rehab Medical Institute