As we age, most adults desire to continue living independently in the community. To do this, it is essential to have the necessary physical, cognitive and psychological skills that are needed to engage in activities in daily life. The risk of falls increases with age, with up to 25% of those aged 65 and older experiencing a fall, and rates increasing to 33% of those aged 85+. The consequences of a fall can be physical and/or psychological, both of which could ultimately impact a person’s ability to remain living independently.
Besides the
potential for serious injury as a result of a fall, including breaking a bone(s) and possible traumatic brain injury, even falls that do not cause substantial physical harm may lead to psychological consequences, such as increased fear of falling. If a person limits movement as a result of fear of physical injury, it can lead to an increased risk of social isolation, loneliness, and/or depressive symptoms. Fall prevention should be a goal of those who provide care to aging adults in order to help them maintain quality of life. This webinar will discuss the different ways to assess fall risk and how to intervene by implementing various modifications.
