Falls not only pose a significant threat to the well-being of older adults but also impact the financial health of senior living communities. This paper explores the importance of fall prevention programs in attracting and retaining residents. It highlights the shift towards proactive, data-driven approaches to address fall risk factors, emphasizing the crucial role of balance in maintaining active wellness among older adults.

Falling is a significant problem affecting older adults, with far-reaching consequences for both individuals and healthcare systems. It is the leading cause of trauma-related deaths and injuries, contributing to a significant burden on healthcare resources. Approximately one-fourth of adults over the age of 65 experience a fall each year [1], highlighting the urgent need for effective fall prevention strategies.

A care gap is a discrepancy between best practices and the care that is actually provided. The care gap in fall prevention among seniors presents a significant challenge in ensuring their overall well-being and healthcare. Falls among older adults pose a serious threat, leading to injuries, trauma, and substantial healthcare costs. Despite the accessibility of healthcare and available evidence-based solutions, over the last two decades the fall rate amongst older adults has continued to increase. This care gap necessitates a more comprehensive approach to identifying and addressing fall risk.

There are robust tools available to assess bone density, dietary deficiencies like Vitamin D and calcium, and muscle strength. However, in one key area, the current tools are very poor - assessing the individual’s intrinsic risk of falling.

Good news for Canadians – 5.8% of Older Canadians reported injuries due to a fall compared to 10.2% in the US. However, falls are still the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations and deaths among Canadians in the 65+ age group.

Falls are the most common cause of minor injury during pregnancy, and there is an urgent need for fall prevention during pregnancy. The ZIBRIO Stability Pro scale provides a quick and easy fall risk screening that can be incorporated into prenatal visits.

Although hazard removal is a popular fall prevention approach to fall prevention in the elderly, studies show that it’s not nearly as effective as people think. Home hazard removal interventions often include installing grab bars in bathrooms, adding slip-resistant surfaces to bathtubs and other slick surfaces, removing loose floor rugs and mats, removing floor-lying cords, and improving lighting.

With fall risk, providers need better tools to understand which of their patients are at greater risk of falling, and they need the time and resources to provide that care. Concierge medical practices have the flexibility to provide more detailed and individualized care, with typical practices spending 2-4hrs with their patients during their annual check-ups.

The total medical cost of falls is currently $67.7 billion per year and is projected to reach $100 billion per year by 2028. If Payviders do not take effective action to prevent falls of the patients under their care, they will be the ones bearing the financial burden of this rapidly rising medical cost of falls.

Fall forecasting is an entirely different approach to fall detection. Instead of sending an alert to a family member after a devastating fall has already occurred, what if you could anticipate a fall up to 12 months ahead of time, with plenty of lead time to make lifestyle changes to prevent the fall from occurring altogether?