September 18, 2019 Lance Robertson, ACL Administrator and
Assistant Secretary for Aging
Did you know that, every year, one out of four
older adults trips, slips, slides, or loses their balance and experiences a
fall. Falls can happen to older adults with and without disabilities.
A recent report from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention found that falls and fall-related
injuries result in nearly $50 billion (with a B) in medical costs in the US.
Falls can lead to sprains, broken bones, and even head injuries. These injuries
can result in hospitalization and loss of mobility and independence.
People aging with disabilities also experience
high rates of falling. The NIDILRR-funded University of Washington
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Promoting Healthy Aging for
Individuals with Long-Term Physical Disabilities (Aging RRTC) found that adults with disabilities like post-polio
syndrome, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury report
falling “more often than not.” Problems with equilibrium, vision,
and coordination put people with these long-term physical disabilities at risk
of falling and sustaining an injury. Other studies have shown that falling can
also be a risk for people who have had a stroke or traumatic brain injury, with loss
of equilibrium or vision among the factors increasing that risk.
The great news is that there are many resources
available on things you can do to prevent falls and to help you recover if you
do fall. These resources can be helpful for older adults with and without
disabilities.
·
The Aging RRTC has
a great fact sheet with
recommendations for exercise and activities to improve strength and balance.
·
The Administration on
Aging, which like NIDILRR is part of the Administration for Community Living,
funds Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Programs, including a National Falls Prevention Resource
Center. Visit the center for resources for older adults, caregivers,
professionals, and advocates. You can also sign up for the Center for Healthy Aging eNewsletter for the
latest from the resource center and other programs.
·
The National Institute
on Aging (NIA) articles on falls and fall
prevention tackle balance problems, fall-proofing your home,
preventing falls and fractures, and even a tips on talking to your doctor about
your concerns about falling.
·
NIA also offers an excellent collection of articles and factsheets on
fitness and physical activity, including balance and flexibility
exercises which can be important for both prevention and recovery.
·
The CDC Older Adults Falls Programs
include a compendium of effective fall interventions, and a community-based
falls prevention program guide.
·
Your local Area Agency on
Aging or Center for Independent Living
may also have programs to assist you, such as in-home falls risk assessments,
fitness and balance classes, and examples of assistive devices which can help
you stay safe at home, at work, and in the community.
Also, a number of NIDILRR-funded research
projects currently are studying falls and falls prevention. For example:
·
RERC on Technologies to
Support Aging-in-Place for People with Long-Term Disabilities (TechSAge RERC
II) Steady Wheels project
looks at using smart-phone based postural control assessments for falls risk
screening in adults who use wheelchairs.
·
The RERC on Technologies
to Evaluate and Advance Manipulation and Mobility (TEAMM) is evaluating wearable airbag technology to reduce injuries
from falls among people who have had a stroke
·
The RERC on Universal
Design and the Built Environment conducts human factors research on
prevention of slips and falls, use of wayfinding apps, and
cost-effective methods to evaluate universal design products during the design
process
Looking for more research on falls, fall
prevention, and rehabilitation after a fall? Call the National
Rehabilitation Information Center at 800-346-2742 to chat with an information
specialist, Monday to Friday, 8:30-5:30 ET.
https://acl.gov/news-and-events/acl-blog/fall-equinox-take-fear-out-falling-falls-prevention
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