According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the number one cause of injury in older adults. As a matter of fact, one in four Americans aged 65 and up falls every year. One of the things that can stop you from becoming one of those statistics is preventative physical therapy.
Wait. Isn’t physical therapy what you do after an injury?
Well, yes, it is. But the idea behind preventative physical therapy is exactly what it sounds like: utilizing physical therapy to prevent injury, not just treat it. Put another way, the idea is that while it’s amazing to have something to help you get back on your feet after a fall, it’s even better if you can avoid going down to begin with.
So how do physical therapists help keep you on your feet? They focus on 4 major areas that contribute to fall prevention.
1. Home Risk
Did you know that most older adults who fall, fall in their own homes? It sounds counter-intuitive, but its true. That’s why one of the first parts of a preventative physical therapy program is going to be assessing the risks in your very own home.
Some of the things your physical therapist will be on the lookout for:
- Home decor items that pose a fall hazard: Things like throw rugs with furled edges that are easy to trip over, end tables or standing lamps with legs that stick out, slippery tiles in bathtubs and shower stalls, raised flooring at doors, steps that are steep or winding. There’s more, but you get the idea.
- Areas that could use handrails or grab bars
- Storage areas (like kitchen cupboards and walk-in pantries) where everyday items are stored too high for comfortable access
- Areas that are too dark (i.e. bad lighting)
You might be thinking you could do all that on your own. And you might be right. If you live in an assisted living community, this won’t take long because management has designed the place with fall safety in mind. So the only thing to check will be personal decor you might have brought with you.
2. Physical Fitness
There are physical conditions that can put you at risk of falling. Issues like weak leg muscles, balancing issues, vision complications (like macular degeneration) and difficulty with balance all contribute to the likelihood of you falling one day. Fortunately, a physical therapist trained in preventative physical therapy can set up an individualized fitness program for you that’s tailored to your body’s strengths and weaknesses. Some exercises your program might include: walking, stretches, low-impact dance routines, weight/strength training and balance exercises.
3. Devices
The next thing a physical therapist will look at is whether an assistive device like a cane or walker might be a good idea. While it’s true – and so understandable – that many people resist these aids, using them is infinitely better than risking a fall.
While not a device, your physical therapist might also check out your shoes. If they are ill-fitting – whether they’re too tight or too loose – or if you have structural issues in the bones of your feet that require more support, the PT will be able to recommend a change in footwear. More comfortable shoes that offer more support result in better walking – which means a reduced chance of falling. If your shoes are fine but the soles are too slippery, your PT might recommend purchasing external, non-skid soles that can be glued to your shoes.
4. Health Issues
The last area that preventative physical therapy takes a look at is any health issues you have that might increase your risk of falling. While physical therapists can’t treat your eyes or your heart, they can refer you to other professionals. If you live in an assisted living facility with an on-site medical team, your PT will likely be in touch with them.
What are some health issues that affect falling? Here’s a partial list:
- Vision. If you can’t clearly see where you’re going, you are at risk for a fall. Your PT will send you to a qualified optometrist and/or ophthalmologist for a full evaluation.
- Cardiac issues. There are cardiac issues that can affect your balance. Heart arrhythmia and other conditions can affect the blood flow, which in turns affects balance.
- Medicines. Some medicines can throw your sense of balance off. Your physical therapist can send you to a competent pharmacist or even back to your GP to see if any chances can be made to your medications that will reduce the risk factor.
- Inner-ear. We know that our sense of balance comes from our ears. So if something’s wrong in there, something will be wrong with our balance. A physical therapist might send you to an ENT if he or she thinks a checkup is warranted.
This might sound like a lot, but it’s a lot simpler than it sounds.
Have you ever tried preventative physical therapy? If you have, please share in the comments below!