075 – Preventing Falls: 4 Approaches to Ask Your Doctor About

In This Episode:

Dr. K reviews her four most used fall prevention approaches, which are routine in geriatrics care but are often overlooked by busy primary care providers. She covers:

• The three questions about falls that PCPs should be asking older adults
• How the CDC’s STEADI fall prevention algorithm can help you understand what your health provider should be doing
• Why medication review is an essential part of fall prevention
• The importance of checking blood pressure sitting and standing
• How a physical therapy evaluation can help
• The recent research suggesting Tai Chi helps prevent falls
• How to get a good home safety assessment done
• Why Vitamin D is no longer recommended for fall prevention (but is still worth taking)

Related episodes: 

052 – Maintaining Mobility & Preventing Falls in Aging: Myths & Truths

034 – Preventing Falls: 10 Types of Medication to Reconsider

004 – What to Do If You’re Worried About Falls

005 – Interview: Otago & Proven Exercises for Fall Prevention

011 – Vitamin D: The “Healthy Aging” Dose & FAQs

Related Resources:

• CDC Steadi:
  • Algorithm for Fall Risk Assessment & Interventions
  • Medications Linked to Falls
  • Risk Factors for Falls
  • Measuring Orthostatic Blood Pressure
  • Check for Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults
• How to Prevent Falls: 4 Proven Approaches To Ask Your Doctor About
• 10 Types of Medications to Review if You’re Concerned About Falling
• Videos Illustrating Otago Exercises for Fall Prevention (includes CDC-recommended assessment exercises)
• Effectiveness of a Therapeutic Tai Ji Quan Intervention vs a Multimodal Exercise Intervention to Prevent Falls Among Older Adults at High Risk of Falling: A Randomized Clinical Trial
• Occupational Therapy Geriatric Group at the University at Buffalo  free home safety workbook:
  • Home Safety Self-Assessment Tool (HSSAT)
• Vitamin D: the Healthy Aging Dose (Plus Answers to 7 FAQs)
• US Preventive Services Task Force: Falls Prevention in Community-Dwelling Older Adults