Every 15 seconds, an older adult is seen in an emergency room for a fall-related injury, including hip, wrist and spine fractures, as well as head trauma. All too often, a fall is the beginning of the end.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), of those fall victims age 65+ that are lucky enough to be discharged from emergency hospital visits, 67% are discharged to nursing facilities, half of whom will never live independently again.
Some physical changes associated with aging increase the risk of falling, as do medical conditions/history such as Diabetic Neuropathy, Muscular Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease and Stroke. The most common of these changes affect sense of balance and body placement (proprioception), bone structure, vision, muscle and foot strength and reflexes.
The first step in preventing falls is to determine whether your or your loved one are at risk of falling. Four of the leading risk factors associated with falling can be treated by podiatric physicians:
Dr. Haber can perform a Fall Risk Assessment to identify the presence of any of these risk factors and recommend the best plan of care. Besides strength and balance-building exercises and/or assistive devices and footwear, Dr. Haber may suggest a Medicare-reimbursed supportive brace that he can custom mold right in his office. This lightweight brace worn with appropriate street shoes helps address orthopedic conditions that affect balance, such as muscle weakness, ankle instability, gait abnormality and mild dropfoot.
A fall risk assessment does the following:
Schedule A Fall Risk Assessment And Help Yourself Or A Loved One!
If you would like to learn more about our fall risk assessments and how they could benefit you or a loved one, do not hesitate to contact our office at (201) 599-5911 today!
