Elderly Still Falling After Preventative Coaching

A recent study by the University of Wisconsin suggested fall prevention coaching for seniors did not decrease the number of falls that occurred, according to the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

The 349 subjects were 65 or older, with a history of either two falls within the past year or one fall that left them with an injury or balance problem in the past two years. Trained nurses performed a series of intervention techniques, starting with an initial fall risk assessment using an algorithm. Recommendations were made on a case-by-case basis to the subjects and their physicians, including referrals to physical therapists, regularly scheduled phone calls made 11 times per month, and designated exercise and balance plans. The study did not show substantial differences in the results between the control group and the intervention group.