Fall Prevention: Risk Assessment and Management for Community-Dwelling Older Adults

• Scope
• Key Recommendations 
• Epidemiology
• Risk Factors
• Evaluating Patients for Fall Risk
• Patient Evaluated as at Risk: Multifactorial Risk Assessment, Fall History and Intervention
• Follow up
• Patient Evaluated as Not at Risk of Falls
• Referral Options
• Appendices
• Associated Documents
• Resources
• References

Scope

This guideline addresses the identification and management of older adults aged ≥ 65 years living in the community with risk factors for falls, and is intended for primary care practitioners. The guideline facilitates individualized assessment and provides a framework and tools to manage risk factors for falls and fall-related injuries. Hospital, facility-based care settings and acute fall management are outside the scope of this guideline, although some of the principles in this guideline may be useful in those settings.

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Key Recommendations

• Annually, or with a significant change in clinical status, ask patients ≥ 65 years about their fall risk using simple one-minute screening tools to identify people at risk of falls:
  •  Three Question Approach and/or
  •  Staying Independent Checklist
• Recommend exercise to improve strength and balance and safe mobility. This is the most effective fall prevention intervention.^1–5 See Exercise Prescription and Programs below.
• For those evaluated as “at risk” or who have had a fall, a multifactorial risk assessment is recommended over multiple visits to review (see Multifactorial Risk Assessment, Fall History and Intervention section):
  •  Medications
  •  Medical conditions (including review of common geriatric conditions)
  •  Mobility (endurance, strength, balance and flexibility)
  •  An assessment of the home environment
  •  Osteoporosis risk assessment and management (increases risk of fracture from fall)
• After a fall, interdisciplinary assessment and care planning can reduce the risk of future falls. A team-based approach, when available, is recommended (see Referral Options section).

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Epidemiology

Incidence of Falls and Fall-Related Injuries Among British Columbians Aged ≥ 65 Years

• One in three fall annually in the community setting.⁶
• One hospitalization every 30 minutes, with 83% from community and 17% from facility-based care.⁷
• Every day ~3 older adults die from a fall. ~1,000 direct and indirect deaths annually.⁷
• Forecasted to continue increasing with population aging.8 There was a 33% increase in hospitalizations from 2009-2016.⁷

Burden of Falls and Fall-Related Injuries Among British Columbians Aged ≥ 65 Years

• Annual total cost (including emergency room visits, hospitalized treatment, permanent disability, and cost of deaths) is $1.4 billion.^9,10 Annual total cost does not include societal costs, such as the cost of reduced quality of life, reduced productivity for older adults (e.g., informal caregiving, volunteering, and employment) and reduced productivity for family caregivers.
• 10-15% of falls result in serious injuries including fractures and head injuries.¹¹
• Falls are the cause of 40% of admissions to facility-based care.¹²
• Falls are the cause of 95% of hip fractures.⁷
•  30% die within the following year,⁷ this reflects their increasing frail status.¹³
•  50% lose mobility and independence.⁷

Prevention of Falls and Fall-Related Injuries Among Older Adults Aged ≥ 65 years

• Most falls are predictable and preventable (see the Associated Document: Facts About Falls).
• Older adults are unlikely to initiate a conversation about fall risk, even if they have sustained injuries from falls in the past.
• Older adults under-recognize their fall risk and under-report falls. They have low awareness that most falls are preventable and are not a normal part of aging.
• Clinical assessment by a healthcare provider and multifactorial interventions to address predisposing factors can decrease falls by approximately 25% among those at high risk.^14,15
• Screening and interventions to reduce falls in community-dwelling older adults at the primary care level is cost effective (estimated at $35,213 per Quality Adjusted Life Years).¹⁶

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Risk Factors                                               

Falling is an indicator of a complex system failure requiring multifactorial assessment and intervention.¹³ These can be categorized into four dimensions: biological, behavioural, environmental and socioeconomic factors (see Table 1). Medical conditions that cause gait and balance problems are reviewed in Appendix A: Medical Conditions Associated with Gait and Balance Disorders.^17,18

• Frailty and multi-morbidity, not increasing age, is the primary consideration in fall risk. For those ≥ 80 years, 60% fell over a 12-month period, reflecting their frail status.^19–21
• Fear of falling results in self-imposed activity restrictions and further functional decline, depression, feelings of helplessness, and social isolation.²² This fear in turn increases risk of falling.
• Older adults often misattribute a fall to “bad luck” or an environmental hazard. In reality, “tripping” reflects an inability to compensate and prevent the fall from occurring.^23–25
• Less than half who fell recently will disclose falling to their healthcare providers.^26,27 Admitting falls may carry its own stigma around weakness or frailty and can be met with embarrassment, fear, or avoidance.
• Older adults have low awareness of the multifactorial interventions that can prevent falls.²⁸

Table 1. Risk Factors Associated with Falls and Fall-Related Injury^{18,22,29–40}

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Evaluating Patients for Fall Risk

Annually evaluate fall risk in patients ≥ 65 years using one of two evaluation tools (see text below and Figure 1).^45,46

Reassess for fall risk if there is a significant change in the patient’s health: physical, cognitive, mental status, behavioural, mobility, medication changes, social network or environment.^47–49

One of two evaluation tools can be used to assess patient fall risk (see Figure 1 below):⁵⁰

1. Primary care practitioner asks 3 questions (could be done in one minute):

• Ask the following questions, as needed:

1. Have you fallen in the past year? If so: 

• How many times?
• Were you injured?

2. Do you ever feel unsteady when you stand or walk?
3. Do you worry about falling?

If the patient answers “yes” to any of the three questions above, carry out a multifactorial risk assessment and fall history.

2. Staying Independent Checklist (can be done in the waiting room):

Ask the patient or their caregiver to complete the Staying Independent Checklist to identify major fall risk factors (see the Associated Document: Staying Independent Checklist)

The Staying Independent Checklist can be made available in the office as a handout and distributed by other healthcare providers (e.g., nurse or medical office assistant [MOA]).

Figure 1: Staying Independent Checklist

 

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Patient Evaluated as at Risk: Multifactorial Risk Assessment, Fall History and Intervention

Falls History and Assessment of Modifiable Risk Factors

For patients with multiple health concerns, consider using “rolling” assessments over multiple visits, targeting at least one area of concern at each visit.

Interventions are recommended for patients based on their individualized multifactorial risk assessment (see Figure 2 below and Appendix B: Categories of Assessment for Patients Evaluated at Fall and Injury Risk (with suggested management)).

The single most effective fall prevention intervention is participation in a safe exercise program designed to improve strength and balance.^1–5 See Exercise Prescription and Programs below.

All other fall prevention interventions are effective when completed in combination.

Fall prevention quality improvement strategies proven to reduce falls include: education and reminders for patients and team changes, case management and staff education for clinicians.⁵¹

Figure 2: Categories of Assessment for Patients Evaluated at Fall and Injury Risk⁵⁰

See Appendix B for accompanying details and suggested management. See also the BC Guidelines.ca: Frailty in Older Adults – Early Identification and Management

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Follow-Up                                               

• For those with an intervention care plan, follow-up with patient in 30-90 days to discuss the care plan’s value and discuss ways to improve patient receptiveness to the care plan.
• Older adults may struggle with changing their health behaviours. Frequent, brief follow-up discussions focused on barriers and facilitators are recommended.
• For suggested motivational interviewing responses see the Talking about Fall Prevention with Your Patients resource.
• To advise a patient on how to manage after a fall, see HealthLinkBC.ca: How to Get Up Safely After a Fall

Older adults may also wish to promote fall prevention when talking to their family and friends.

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Patient Evaluated as Not at Risk of Falls

Consider the opportunity to discuss the following to reduce future risk:

• Educate the patient on fall and injury prevention (see the patient brochure from the US CDC What You Can Do to Prevent Falls and Patient Handout: Facts About Falls).
• Reassess annually, or if patient presents with a fall.
• To maintain low risk category, encourage proactive participation in strength and balance exercise or fall prevention program, including community or online.

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Referral Options  

See the Patient Handout: Referral Options Resource Guide for Patients and Caregivers

Exercise Prescription and Programs

• The single most effective fall prevention intervention is participation in a safe exercise program designed to improve strength and balance.^1–5
• Older adults can check with their community centre, physiotherapist or call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 (or 7-1-1 for the deaf and hard of hearing) to speak with a qualified exercise professional for exercise prescription or to learn more about individual or group exercise options.
• For older adults who prefer to engage in physical activity at home, exercise videos are available online: findingbalancebc.ca: Exercise.

Best practice recommendations for falls prevention exercise: ^14,47,52

General considerations:

• Should be tailored to the individual (i.e., pitched at the right level, taking falls history, functional ability and medical conditions into account).⁵³
• Should be delivered by specially trained instructors to ensure appropriate increases in intensity.
• Care should be taken to ensure it is carried out in a manner that does not increase the risk of falling.

Type of exercise:

• Exercise should provide progressive challenge to balance. Strength training and walking may be included in addition to balance training. High-risk individuals, however, should not be prescribed brisk walking programmes.⁵⁴
• Adherence to exercise routines increases with levels of enjoyment; it is important to recommend physical activity on an individual basis centered on goals, current fitness level, and health status.²³
• Evidence informed exercise programs include: Osteofit (including Get Up & Go!) and Physical Activity Services (offered through HealthLink BC/8-1-1).
• Other forms of exercise which may increase balance and strength (e.g., yoga, Pilates, tennis, dancing) have many benefits but may be insufficient in themselves for falls prevention. Supplemental activities may be considered.^3,5,55

Frequency and duration:

• Adults ≥ 65 years should accumulate at least 150 minutes of exercise per week in bouts of 10 minutes or more.^56,57
• Older adults at risk of falling should do balance training for three or more days per week.⁵³

Geriatric Medicine

• Geriatric Medicine (hospital, private office)/falls clinic or practitioner specializing in the care of the elderly.
• Determine if your community has a specific falls prevention clinic or a multidisciplinary geriatric clinic (e.g., Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health, Providence Health Care).

Home and Community Care

• Primary care practitioners play an essential role in identifying patients in need of increased supports and facilitating intake into the system of care support. Ensure patients and caregivers in need of support are referred to local health care and social services, which are available from both publicly subsidized and private pay providers.
• For help finding information on social and health resources in your local community, see BC211 at www.bc211.ca 
• Case managed services available to eligible patients through Home and Community Care within local health authorities include:
  •  community nursing for acute, chronic, palliative or rehabilitative support
  •  community occupational therapist, physiotherapist, dietician consultation as available and appropriate
  •  services for personal care, health care and social and recreational activities
  •  home support for assistance with activities of daily living
  •  caregiver respite/relief
  •  adult day care, assisted living and facility-based care
  •  end-of-life care services
• For more information, see www2.gov.bc.ca: Home and Community Care or contact your local health authority.
• Consider directing caregivers to  www.FamilyCaregiversBC.ca  and the BC Family Caregiver Support Line at 1-877-520-3267.

Advance Care Planning

• Falls commonly accompany severe frailty and advance care planning is advised.
• See BCGuidelines.ca: Frailty in Older Adults – Early Identification and Management and   Advance Care Planning: Resource Guide for Caregivers and Patients   for further information on advance care planning.

Vision Correction – Ophthalmologist and Optometrist

• A referral is not required for an optometrist visit however some extended health plans do require one. See: bc.doctorsofoptometry.ca/find-a-doctor/
• According to the BC Optometrist fee schedule, the Medical Services Plan provides limited or partial coverage as a benefit for optometric services in adults (bc.doctorsofoptometry.ca/patients/medical-services-plan/):
  •  Adults aged 19–64: eye exams not covered by MSP unless medically required
  • Seniors aged 65+: one full eye examination annually
• A referral is required to see an ophthalmologist. See: BCSEPS.com: Directory of Eye Physicians and Surgeons

Diagnostic Codes

ICD-9 codes: E880-E888⁵⁸

ICD-10 codes: W00-W019.9⁵⁹

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Appendices             

Appendix A: Medical Conditions Associated with Gait and Balance Disorders (PDF, 88KB)

Appendix B: Categories of Assessment for Patients Evaluated at Fall and Injury Risk (with suggested management) (PDF, 128KB)

Appendix C: Medications Contributing to the Risk of Falling (PDF, 95KB)

Appendix D:Conducting a Medication Review (PDF, 137KB)

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Associated Documents                

• Staying Independent Checklist (PDF, 79K) 
• Patient Handout: Facts about Falls (PDF, 92KB)
• Checklist for Preventing Falls at Home
• How to Get Up Safely After a Fall
• Patient handout: Tips to Stay Fall Free in Winter (PDF, 98KB)
• 30 Second Chair Stand
• Four Stage Balance Test
• Referral Options Resource Guide for Patients and Caregiver (PDF, 95KB)
• Contributors to Guideline (PDF, 241KB)

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 Resources                                                         

• Practitioner Resources

  • BCGuidelines.ca

    •   Frailty in Older Adults – Early Identification and Management
    •  Resource Guide for Older Adults and Caregivers

• RACE: Rapid Access to Consultative Expertise Program – www.raceconnect.ca

A phone consultation line for physicians, nurse practitioners and medical residents.

If the relevant specialty area is available through your local RACE line, please contact them first. Contact your local RACE line for the list of available specialty areas. If your local RACE line does not cover the relevant specialty service or there is no local RACE line in your area, or to access Provincial Services, please contact the Vancouver/Providence RACE line.

• Vancouver Coastal Health Region/Providence Health Care:  www.raceconnect.ca www.raceapp.ca (tip: download the  RACEapp+ to your device from the Apple or Android stores

604-696-2131 (Vancouver) or 1-877-696-2131 (toll free) Available Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, excluding statutory holidays.

• Northern RACE

1-877-605-7223 (toll free)

• Kootenay Boundary RACE

1-844-365-7223 (toll free)

• For Fraser Valley RACE: www.raceapp.ca (tip: download the RACEapp+ to your device from the Apple or Android stores)
• Vancouver Island RACE: to register, please visit www.raceapp.ca (tip: download the RACEapp+  to your device from the Apple or Android stores). For more information, please visit South Island Division of Family Practice: RACE 

• Gov.bc.ca: Fall Prevention

• Gov.bc.ca: Fall Prevention Resources in BC

• Pathways

  • An online resource that allows GPs and nurse practitioners and their office staff to quickly access current and accurate referral information, including wait times and areas of expertise, for specialists and specialty clinics. See https://pathwaysbc.ca/login

• US Centre for Disease Control: Talking about Fall Prevention with Your patients

• Patient and Caregiver Resources

  • Doctors of BC – Stay Active, Stay Safe
  • Gov.bc.ca: Fall Prevention Resources
  • Finding Balance BC
    •  www.findingbalancebc.ca

• Fraser Health: Your Guide to Independent Living (multilingual)

• HealthLink BC: Preventing Falls in Older Adults
• HealthLink BC: Seniors' Falls Can be Prevented
• HealthLink BC: How to Get Up Safely After a Fall

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68. Juraschek SP, Daya N, Rawlings AM, Appel LJ, Miller ER, Windham BG, et al. Association of History of Dizziness and Long-term Adverse Outcomes With Early vs Later Orthostatic Hypotension Assessment Times in Middle-aged Adults. JAMA Intern Med. 2017 Sep;177(9):1316–23.

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This draft guideline is based on scientific evidence current as of effective date.

The draft guideline was developed by the Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee in collaboration with the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit.

For more information about how BC Guidelines are developed, refer to the GPAC Handbook available at BCGuidelines.ca: GPAC Handbook.

THE GUIDELINES AND PROTOCOLS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The principles of the Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee are to:  encourage appropriate responses to common medical situations  recommend actions that are sufficient and efficient, neither excessive nor deficient  permit exceptions when justified by clinical circumstances  Contact Information:  Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee  PO Box 9642 STN PROV GOVT  Victoria BC V8W 9P1  Email: hlth.guidelines@gov.bc.ca  Website: www.BCGuidelines.ca  Disclaimer  The Clinical Practice Guidelines (the “Guidelines”) have been developed by the Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee on behalf of the Medical Services Commission. The Guidelines are intended to give an understanding of a clinical problem, and outline one or more preferred approaches to the investigation and management of the problem. The Guidelines are not intended as a substitute for the advice or professional judgment of a health care professional, nor are they intended to be the only approach to the management of clinical problem. We cannot respond to patients or patient advocates requesting advice on issues related to medical conditions. If you need medical advice, please contact a health care professional.

 

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