Falls Among Older Adults

Most people believe that a hip fracture is the biggest threat that older adults face when they fall, but current research shows that traumatic brain injuries that happen as a result of a fall have much more severe effects on mobility and independence than injuries to other parts of the body.

Contrary to common belief, falls are not part of the natural aging process.  Several factors, such as environmental hazards, untreated vision problems, use of certain medications, muscle weakness, and even one’s fear of falling may increase the risk for falls among older adults.  Recognizing and avoiding these risk factors will help to reduce the incidence of falls among seniors.

“A Matter of Balance” is an evidence-based falls prevention program created by Boston University researchers that is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. During the program, which consists of eight 2-hour sessions, our trained coaches teach participants how to:

• Identify and understand risk factors for falling
• Set realistic goals to increase activity
• Change their environment to reduce fall risks
• Master simple exercises to increase strength and balance.