Fall Prevention Strategy

A consequence of a fall could be a hip fracture. Quarter of individual experiencing a hip fracture will pass away within a year, and a half will be unable to return to their previous level of function. Thes statistic underscore the urgent need for fall prevention.

Almost 40% of people over 70 fall at least once a year. 1 in 5 of these falls result in serious injury.

• Last year, 300,000 Americans fractured their hip after falling.
• Nearly 25% of those who fracture their hip will be dead within a year.
• 50% of them won’t return to their prior level of function.

Why do the elderly fall at increased rates?

Falls may occur due to a combination of factors, including a lack of balance and weakness in the supporting musculature. Poor balance may lead to the act of falling, but it is the weakness within the foot and leg that results in the inability to recover from falling. Weakness in the legs can lead to falls down the stairs. Weakness in the feet and calf can lead to falling during the initiation of walking.

Below are some simple exercises that you could use to strengthen your muscles in your leg to help lower your risk of falling.

1)www.cdc.gov/falls/facts 2)Snow C, Shaw J, Winters K, Witzke K. Long-term exercise using weighted vests prevents hip bone loss in postmenopausal women. The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. 2000 Sep 1;55(9):M489-91.