For many older adults, the occasional slip and fall aren’t viewed as a medical problem, but an expected part of aging.

But falls in older adults can be caused by multiple things — and the majority of them are preventable.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. emergency departments saw 2.2 million nonfatal fall injuries among older adults in 2009. More than one-quarter of those patients were hospitalized.

Risk factors include weakness, vision problems, low blood pressure, medications and balance problems. Certain diagnoses also increase the risk of falls, for example, adults who have experienced a stroke fall more often than persons without a neurological diagnosis.

If you or a loved one falls, they should be evaluated. The correct intervention can pinpoint the cause of the fall and prevent future injury.

A multi-factorial evaluation by a physical therapist can help point to reasons behind stability problems, including the fear of falling itself. Often, an older adult afraid of falling will voluntarily reduce their movement, losing strength in the process.

But strength is a key element of fall prevention. Strength training of the lower extremities has been shown to be one of the few factors that can decrease falls by itself—something not shown with balance training.

A PT evaluation will include assessments of strength, balance, flexibility and mobility, including specific balance tests to determine if a person is at risk for falls. Based on that assessment, a PT will develop a treatment program to help prevent falls and injury.

PTs can also refer clients to a physician for care of medical risk factors including medication, incontinence and impaired vision.

Above all, one of the most important things to prevent falls is to stay active. Inactivity leads to weakness and fear of falling.

There are many activity programs for older adults at local hospitals, senior centers and through local health departments. There is also a program perfect for persons who have fallen or are afraid of falling titled “Matter of Balance” that is offered throughout the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area.

For more information about fall prevention, I recommend the Hamilton County Fall Prevention Task Force’s website www.fallprevention taskforce.org, which includes information for older adults, their family and health care providers.