Falls are a big deal.
They can cause injuries and make it hard to live on your own. They can also make you afraid of
falling again. This fear might make you less active, making you weaker and more likely to fall.
It’s a tough cycle to break.
Falls aren’t a normal part of aging. Physical therapy can reduce your risk and help you stay
independent. Here are five ways your PT can help.
Creating a personalized exercise plan
Being active helps prevent falls. Your PT will create an exercise plan based on your needs and
interests. This should be fun! Consider going on walks, dancing, aquatic exercise, or practicing
yoga.
Making Your Home Safer
Many falls happen at home. Simple changes like removing tripping hazards and using night
lights can make a significant difference. Your physical therapist can help you with these and
recommend other modifications to make your home safer.
Strength and Balance Exercises
Strong muscles and good balance are vital to preventing falls. Your PT will show you specific
exercises that help with both.
Addressing underlying health issues
Falls are often the result of multiple factors. Your PT can work with your other doctors to
address things like vision problems, heart issues, incontinence, or diabetes that might make you
more likely to fall.
Help you find community programs
Staying active is easier and more fun with others. Your PT can help you find group exercise
classes or other programs in your area that will help you stay strong and independent.
Take the first step.
If you’re worried about falling or have already had a fall, don’t wait to get help. Talk to your
physical therapist.
Falling isn’t a normal part of getting older. With the right help, you can stay strong, maintain your
balance, and keep doing the things you love. Physical therapy is a great way to ensure that you
stay on your feet and remain active and independent.
Take that first step towards better balance and a more active life. Your future self will thank you!
References
1. Exercise for falls and fracture prevention in long term care facilities: a systematic review and
meta-analysis. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2013;14(9):685-689.e2.
a. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23860265/
2. Preventing Falls in Older Persons. Am Fam Physician. 2017 Aug 15;96(4):240-247. PMID:
28925664.
a. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28925664/
3. The Effectiveness of Physical Therapist–Administered Group-Based Exercise on Fall Prevention:
A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy
36(4):p 182-193, October/December 2013.
a. https://journals.lww.com/jgpt/fulltext/2013/10000/the_effectiveness_of_physical.5.asp
x?casa_token=r5fLfvxztA0AAAAA:9yaeibFmZiCeIZiQcSOVcbWkWpA_8spTG-bNT2UFaD2Dc7tljHsv3VW5XfmnvIySLNwrJDd7aqnJTsfdHmRqK8
4. Exergame technology and interactive interventions for elderly fall prevention: A systematic
literature review
a. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003687016302265
5. Reducing the Risk of Falling and Injuries From Falls: Research on the Value of Physical Therapy
a. apta-handout-falls-research.pdf
6. Physical Therapy Guide to Falls
a. https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-falls
7. Fall Prevention Starts with a Conversation
a. https://www.ncoa.org/article/falls-prevention-conversation-guide-for-caregivers
8. Balance and Falls
a. https://www.apta.org/patient-care/public-health-population-care/balance-and-falls
