Resources
Practical, evidence-based reading on fall prevention and balance.
Educational reading to help you understand fall risk and prevention. Hands-on exercise instruction is delivered one-on-one inside our program — these resources are here to inform, not to replace personalized coaching.
Fall Prevention 101
Why falls happen, why they're not a "normal part of aging," and what actually reduces risk.
Bifocals & Fall Risk
Why multifocal lenses raise fall risk 2.3× — and what to do about it.
Footwear & Falls
What the research says about shoes, soles, and heel height for older adults.
Trusted External Resources
CDC, National Council on Aging, and other trusted organizations.
Fall Prevention 101
Falls are not a normal part of aging. They are the leading cause of injury-related ER admissions in older adults — more than 3 million per year in the U.S. alone. Roughly 250,000 hip fractures occur annually, and about 26% of long-term care admissions follow a fall. Yet an estimated 94% of at-risk older adults never receive effective balance training.
Sources: CDC — Older Adult Falls Data; NCOA — Falls Prevention Facts.
Falls are almost never caused by a single thing. They're the result of many risk factors stacking up: weakness, medication side effects, poor lighting, dehydration, footwear, vision changes, and fear. The most effective fall prevention addresses all of them together.
Source: CDC — Fall Risk Factors.
Fear of Falling
After a fall or near-fall, many older adults become less active — the natural response. But less movement means weaker muscles, poorer balance, and a more cautious gait, all of which raise the risk of the next fall. Fear itself becomes a fall risk factor. Progressive, supported balance training rebuilds confidence at the same time it rebuilds strength.
The Home Advantage
Greater than 50% of falls take place at home — where, surprisingly, we feel most safe. Our home inspectors are ECHM (Executive Certification in Home Modification)-certified occupational therapists who walk each room with you, identify the specific risks, and can recommend trusted independent contractors to implement the modifications.
Source: CDC — Fall Prevention at Home.
Articles
- The Hidden Fall Risk of Bifocal Glasses — why multifocal lenses raise fall risk, and what to do about it.
- Footwear & Fall Prevention — evidence-based shoe guidance for older adults.
More articles coming soon. Contact us for our current reading list.
Trusted external resources
Reputable, evidence-based organizations for further reading:
- CDC — Older Adult Fall Prevention — the Centers for Disease Control's guidance, data, and tools for older adult fall prevention.
- National Council on Aging — Falls Prevention — programs, statistics, and community resources.
- National Institute on Aging — Falls and Fractures — research-backed guidance for older adults and families.
- World Health Organization — Falls — global context on falls as a public health issue.