Falls — the plain-language one-pager.

What is Falls Prevention?Diagnosis

One in four adults age 65+ falls each year. Falls are the leading cause of injury death and traumatic brain injury in older adults — and the leading cause of hip fracture, which itself carries a 25-30% one-year mortality. But falls are not an inevitable part of aging. They are caused by identifiable, fixable risk factors. Strength + balance training, medication review, vision care, home modifications, and treating orthostatic hypotension can cut fall risk by 30-50%. The program is the difference.

• The big risk factors — Prior fall (the strongest predictor), muscle weakness, balance/gait problems, polypharmacy (≥4 meds), psychotropic meds (sleep aids, anti-anxiety, antidepressants), orthostatic hypotension, vision problems, foot/footwear issues, environmental hazards, vestibular disorders, dementia, fear of falling.
• STEADI assessment (CDC Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) — three quick screens: Stay Independent questionnaire, Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test, 30-second chair stand. TUG ≥12 seconds = high fall risk.
• Top interventions that work — Tai Chi, balance + strength PT (especially Otago program), home safety check, medication review and de-prescribing, vitamin D in deficient adults, vision check + cataract surgery, treatment of orthostatic hypotension, vestibular therapy for BPPV.
• The post-fall workup matters — Every fall needs a story. Dizzy or just tripped? Standing up too fast (OH)? Cardiac event? Medication side effect? Environmental hazard? Each cause has a fix.

After any fall — the 5-question debriefKnow your plan

A fall is data. Most are preventable next time, if you take 5 minutes to ask the right questions while the memory is fresh. Bring the answers to your team.

• 1. What were you doing? Walking, standing up, reaching, stepping over something? Time of day?
• 2. Were you dizzy or did you lose consciousness? Dizzy with standing = orthostatic hypotension. Brief loss of consciousness = cardiac/neurologic workup.
• 3. What did you trip on / what changed? Loose rug, dim hallway, new shoes, stairs without a handrail? Each is a fix.
• 4. What meds did you take that day? New med, dose change, sleep aid, anti-anxiety, opioid? Bring the bottle list.
• 5. Did you get hurt? Hip / wrist / head injuries need imaging — even if you "feel fine." Hit your head on anticoagulant = ED for CT.

Your daily Force FieldLive It

• Strength + balance daily — Tai Chi, Otago program, walking, weight-bearing exercise. Even 5–10 minutes/day on the right exercises moves the needle.
• Annual medication review — Bring every bottle (including OTC and supplements) to your doctor. Ask about de-prescribing high-fall-risk meds.
• Vitamin D 800-1000 IU daily for adults 65+, especially if deficient. Helps muscle + bone.
• Annual vision check + cataract surgery if needed — clear vision is fall prevention.
• Home safety check — remove throw rugs, add grab bars (bathroom + by toilet), nightlights in hallways, well-lit stairs with handrails on both sides, non-slip mats.
• Footwear — supportive, well-fitting, non-skid soles. No backless slippers, no high heels at home.
• Treat orthostatic hypotension — slow position changes, hydration, compression stockings, medication review.
• Vestibular therapy for BPPV / vertigo — Epley maneuver fixes most BPPV in 1-2 visits.
• Hearing + cognition — hearing aids reduce falls; treat depression and isolation.
• Plan for if a fall happens — phone in pocket, medical alert if alone, learn to get up safely or stay still and call for help.

Red flags — call nowAction

• Call your clinic the same day for: new chest discomfort with exertion that goes away with rest (stable feeling unsteady worth evaluating); a missed dose of antiplatelet or PT-prescribed home program; medication side effects (muscle aches, bleeding, GI symptoms).
• Bring up at next visit: any change in exercise tolerance, lipid follow-up timing, BP log review, smoking-cessation support, depression screening, sleep concerns.