Harborview Fall Prevention Clinic: For Patients 

What are the consequences of falls?

• Decreased mobility
• Restricted activity
• Loss of independence
• Fear of falling
• Death
• Fractures (especially hip)
• Head injury
• Increased health care resources: $69 million in 1999 to treat fractures in WA residents 65+
• Increased future fall risk

Am I at risk for falls?

You may be at risk for falls if you have one or more of the risk factors listed below. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chances are of experiencing recurrent falls.

• History of fall(s)
• Muscle weakness
• Gait deficit
• Balance deficit
• Use of assistive device (cane, walker)
• Visual deficit
• Arthritis
• Impaired activities of daily living (ADL)
• Depression
• Cognitive impairment
• Age > 80 years

What can I do to prevent falls?

1. Begin a regular exercise program
2. Have your health care provider review your medicines
3. Have your vision checked
4. Make your home safer

"What YOU Can Do To Prevent Falls." CDC Foundation Brochure. Available in English, Spanish, and Chinese. (PDF)

Related Links for Patients 

• Safety Checklist, CDC Foundation (PDF)
• CDC Strength Training Exercise program for elders. Comprehensive exercise program designed to help you increase the strength and health of your muscles and bones, and improve your balance, coordination, and mobility. This program includes exercises, motivational tips and log sheets to help you stay on track!
• Exercise: A Guide from the National Institute on Aging – a comprehensive guide on exercise, including a discussion of its benefits, safety, motivation, exercises, nutrition, progress records and additional resources.
• Fall Prevention Center of Excellence – a wealth of information for individuals and families in downloadable PDF documents, web links and articles on balance & mobility, environmental management, medication management, and resources. Also includes basic information on fall prevention in 14 languages!
• CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: Falls and Hip Fractures Among Older Adults – statistics and additional information on the risks for falling and how to prevent falls.
• National Institutes of Health-Senior Health. Information specific to older adults, including balance problems, low vision, exercise, osteoporosis, and taking medicines. Online text may be increased or decreased for readability; site also includes audio-speech option to have text read aloud.
• Consumer Product Safety Commission: Safety for Older Consumers – Home Safety Checklist. Thorough checklist organized by areas in home with reminders and recommendations for how to safely modify any potential home hazards
• The 2004 Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis: What it means to you. Reports includes information on the importance of healthy bones and how to keep bones healthy, the risks of weak bones, diet, activity, how to decrease fall risk, how to talk to your provider about bone health and what to discuss, and how to determine if you are at risk for weak bones.
• National Resource Council- Resources on Falls and Fall Prevention. Links to information from federal agencies, universities, associations and other organizations, and NSC Chapters.
• The American Geriatrics Society. Contains a multitude of various fall-related patient handouts and additional web-linked resources.
• Providence Health System of Olympia and Centralia. Information on ways to prevent falls, Fall Prevention Awareness Day, and exercise links that include downloadable PDF documents.
• Minnesota Safety Council: SeniorSafe. Links to home safety, exercise, strength and balance and prevention information related to falls; includes downloadable PDF documents, PowerPoint presentations, fact sheets and checklists.