More than 14 million seniors (approximately one in four older adults) experience falls each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making fall prevention critical to reducing injury risk. Falls are the leading cause of injury in older adults, often resulting in long-term consequences such as cognitive decline, loss of independence or even death.

In this blog, we’ll explore how implementing evidence-based fall prevention strategies, including home safety modifications, balance exercises and medication reviews, can significantly mitigate these risks.

What Causes Falls in Older Adults?

There are many reasons that older adults are at risk for falling, and many times, there is more than just one contributing factor.

Multiple medications, which may have a variety of side effects
Home hazards such as dim lighting, obstacles and trip hazards
Balance and walking problems, which can be affected by vision changes, vestibular problems and new sensations in the feet

Falls often occur when shifting positions, such as in the bathroom when sitting or standing from the toilet or shower or navigating through a room with obstacles and trip hazards, often exacerbated by dim lighting.

Correlation Between Fall Risk and Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

A study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital revealed that of 2 million older adults who sustained a traumatic injury, more than 10% of those who experienced a fall were later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Those who fell were also at 21% greater risk of future dementia diagnosis.

Older adults with Alzheimer’s disease are twice as likely to experience falls compared to seniors who are cognitively healthy. In the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s disease, imbalance and slower gait speed are present years before cognitive symptoms appear. Dual-task gait performance, which is walking while performing cognitive tasks, may predict future cognitive decline.

Contributing factors to falls include:

Cognitive impairment, including spatial awareness, judgment and executive function
Sensory deficits: inner ear (vestibular) damage raises fall risk by 50% in Alzheimer’s disease patients
Environmental hazards, such as poor lighting and cluttered space
Medications, such as polypharmacy and psychotropic drugs

Fall Interventions: Environmental Design and Personalized Care Plans

Environmental design and personalized care plans are two complementary strategies used to prevent falls, particularly among older adults and patients in health care settings.

Environmental design focuses on modifying physical spaces to reduce fall hazards, such as improving lighting, installing non-slip flooring, securing carpets and removing obstacles in walkways. These interventions may also include the use of assistive devices and adaptations tailored to the specific risks identified in an individual’s living environment.

Personalized care plans, on the other hand, involve a thorough assessment of each person’s unique risk factors – such as mobility, medication use, vision and medical conditions – and actively engage the resident and their family in the development of targeted interventions.

This approach ensures that fall prevention strategies are tailored to the individual’s needs and preferences, often using validated risk assessment tools and involving ongoing education, monitoring and collaboration between health care providers, residents and caregivers.

Together, environmental modifications and individualized care planning create a comprehensive, resident-centered approach to reducing fall risk and promoting safety for seniors.

Innovative Safety Technology

At Valage Senior Living, resident safety and security are top priorities, reflected in the adoption of innovative technology like the SafelyYou Respond system. This advanced solution uses artificial intelligence-powered sensors installed in resident memory care rooms to detect falls with over 99% accuracy, immediately alerting staff so they can respond without delay.

When a fall is detected, the safety technology system records only the moments before and after the incident, ensuring both prompt care and resident privacy – non-fall footage is automatically deleted within minutes, and there is no live streaming or audio. Staff members receive real-time notifications, allowing them to quickly review the incident, assess the resident’s condition and determine the appropriate level of care.

Beyond immediate response, SafelyYou Respond provides valuable insights by enabling staff to analyze how falls occur, supporting the development of personalized prevention strategies tailored to each resident’s needs.

This safety technology has been shown to reduce falls by up to 40% and related emergency room visits by 80%, significantly improving outcomes for seniors, especially those living with dementia. By integrating SafelyYou Respond, Valage Senior Living not only enhances resident safety but also offers peace of mind to families, setting a new standard for care in senior living communities.

Balance Training for Elderly Fall Prevention

To reduce fall risk, one of the best activities seniors can do is participate in exercise, especially fall prevention exercises. Exercise is a cornerstone of fall prevention because it strengthens the body systems that address the physical factors that increase fall risk. It can help:

Improve balance
Enhance flexibility
Increase strength
Boost endurance
Sharpen reaction times
Increase confidence and independence

Below we have put together a small list of exercises that can help improve balance, and seniors should aim to do these exercises a few times per week for maximum impact.

*Note: Before starting an exercise routine, talk with your doctor about exercises that are appropriate for your health status and your individual activity level.

Exercise 1: Weight Shifting

Start by standing with your feet hip-width apart. Gently shift your weight onto one leg, lifting the other foot slightly off the ground.
Hold this position for up to 30 seconds or as long as feels comfortable. Then switch sides and repeat. Aim for three rounds on each leg – or as many as you’re comfortable with.
If you’re feeling a bit unsteady at first, it’s perfectly okay to use a wall, countertop or sturdy chair for support. You can also ask a friend or family member to assist you while you build confidence.

Exercise 2: Heel-to-Toe Walking

Stand tall with your arms extended straight in front of you and your feet together.
Keeping your eyes focused on a point ahead, step forward by placing the heel of one foot directly in front of the toes of your other foot – so they’re touching in a straight line.
Continue walking heel to toe for 10 to 20 steps or as many as feel comfortable for you.

Exercise 3: Sit-to-Stands

Stand upright with your back toward a sturdy chair, feet about hip-width apart.
Slowly lower yourself down, gently sitting back onto the chair with control.
Then, press through your heels to rise back to a standing position – avoiding any swinging or momentum from your upper body.
Repeat this movement 10 times.
If needed, use a wall or sturdy furniture for support. As your strength improves, try performing the exercise without assistance.

Safety and Security for Seniors at Valage Senior Living

At Valage Senior Living, we recognize the urgency of this issue and are committed to enhancing resident safety through innovative solutions and personalized care.

Technologies like the SafelyYou Respond system enable rapid detection and response to falls, while environmental modifications and personalized care plans work together to minimize risk factors.

Through these combined efforts, we strive to create a secure, supportive environment where residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive impairments can maintain their independence and quality of life with confidence and dignity.

Ultimately, addressing fall risk in Alzheimer’s care is not just about preventing injuries – it’s about fostering a holistic approach that promotes overall well-being and peace of mind for residents and their families.

Helping Keep Seniors Safe: Fall Prevention Strategies to Reduce Risk