Entry By: Eileen Bach, PT, M.Ed, DPT
Pasted here is a Medscape article summarizing the release this week of the updated Falls Guidelines from the American Geriatrics Society and the British Geriatric Society. The revised guidelines update the original Falls guidelines from 2001. The multifactorial guidelines are endorsed by many groups such as the AMA, APTA, AOTA and more.
New recommendations cover footwear, functional abilities, Vitamin D supplementation and more. One multifactor to always be considered is exercise, and updated citations on exercise for balance and strength, physical therapy, and tai chi can be found in the guidelines. Here is a link to the article (membership may be required to view).
Falls are a significant concern in older adults and falls are certainly a concern in the home health care setting, warranting a required assessment and process measure for patients 65 and older. The AGS website has the entire set of recommendations and detailed information regarding how the evidence was rated by the panel of experts convened.
Of course, the snowy, cold weather over much of the US the past 2 weeks makes falls even more likely!
Be safe,
Eileen