Healthy Habits: Occupational Therapy Practitioners Work to Decrease Fall Risk, Increase Safety for Older Adults

A study published in the current issue of the American Journal of Preventative Medicine (AJPM) explains that consultation with an occupational therapy practitioner is the best way to prevent falls among older adults. Falls are the leading cause of injury and accidental death in adults over the age of 65. According to the National Council on Aging, 1 in 4 Americans age 65 and older fall each year. Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in an emergency room for an injury related to a fall and an older adult dies from a fall every 19 minutes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2015, more than 28,000 older adults died from falls and 3 million more were treated from fall-related injuries.

“By understanding the hazards that exist in daily routines for older people living independently, families can make adjustments to decrease fall risk, and increase safety and confidence in daily living,” says Scott A. Trudeau, PhD, OTR/L, Productive Aging Practice Manager for the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). “Occupational therapy practitioners are experts in daily activities. When it comes to falls or fear of falling, they can provide an assessment both in the home and in the community, and offer recommendations to make clients’ daily routines safer.”

According to the study, evaluating and addressing home hazards with the assistance of an occupational therapist has the potential to prevent more than 45,000 medically treated falls each year, saving $442 million; the highest impact intervention identified in this study.

Falls and the fear of falling can decrease independence and increase disability. Occupational therapy practitioners play an essential role in reducing fall risk by addressing the physical, cognitive, and environmental factors in the daily roles and activities of older adults that can lead to a fall.

During an individualized fall risk assessment, occupational therapy practitioners use the following strategies to reduce the risk of falls:

• Assess the increased risk of falling that can result from the person’s cognitive challenges, including dementia, Alzheimer’s, and advanced age.
• Determine if the client’s medication routines or combination of medications can affect balance, strength, vision, and fall risk.
• Understand how safety hazards in the client’s daily routine both in and out of the home can increase fall risk, and offer suggestions to change the routine to increase safety and confidence.
• Identify and eliminate fall hazards in the home. Arrange furniture to increase ease of mobility, create sturdy balance-catching points throughout the home, make suggestions for placement of grab bars, and introduce safety equipment based on the client’s medical profile.
• Develop strategies to manage or make alternative plans to avoid areas in the community with fall hazards.
• Identify fall risks due to the person’s physical challenges such as pain from arthritis, weakened strength from a stroke, or limited range of motion.
• Consider environmental modifications, assistive technology, or adaptive equipment.
• Keep frequently used items in easily accessible areas. Create a plan for accessing seasonal items stored in hard-to-reach places.
• Offer suggestions to increase lighting in the home or change routines in the community based on preferable lighting for those with visual limitations.
• Offer tips for staying active and participating in regular exercise and for maintaining a healthy sleep schedule.

The 11^th annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day will be observed Sept. 22, 2018 — the first day of fall. Sponsored by the National Council On Aging (NCOA), the day raises awareness of how to prevent falls in the older adult population. A Twitter chat featuring AOTA and many other organizations will take place from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 25. Follow #FPAD2018 to join in and have questions answered in real-time by national aging experts.

Occupational therapy is a helping profession that supports people across the lifespan to participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Every day across the U.S., occupational therapy practitioners work with older adults and caregivers to educate them on strategies and behaviors to reduce fall risk and facilitate maximum independence. This may include recommending and using home modifications and assistive technology to support aging in place.

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) offers a video, tip sheets, a toolkit, and more on preventing falls. For more information, visit http://www.aota.org/About-Occupational-Therapy/Patients-Clients/Adults.aspx.

Founded in 1917, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) represents the professional interests and concerns of more than 213,000 occupational therapists, assistants, and students nationwide. The Association educates the public and advances the profession of occupational therapy by providing resources, setting standards including accreditations, and serving as an advocate to improve health care. Based in Bethesda, Md., AOTA’s major programs and activities are directed toward promoting the professional development of its members and assuring consumer access to quality services so patients can maximize their individual potential. For more information, go to www.aota.org.