Some Statistics Of people at the age of 65 or older, 25-35% of them will fall one or more times in a year. Falls are considered the leading cause of death of the elderly. Of the elders that survive, 20-30% will result in debilitating injuries. Body Systems that Affect Balance Somatosensory System Vision Vestibular System Common Causes of Falls Environmental Hazards such as: Uneven Surfaces Insufficient Lighting Rugs (loose or raised) Bed Skirts Loose Cords Toddlers Pets Other Causes of Falls Include Inappropriate footwear Unstable bed or chair transfer Gait disturbance Balance impairment Muscle weakness Low Endurance Inappropriate Footwear Gait Disturbance or Balance Impairment Muscle Weakness More Causes of Falls Pain ( injury, arthritis, chronic illness etc) Hypotension Vertigo Dizziness Medications (especially multiple meds) Use of alcohol Acute illness Pain Hypotension Dizziness Vertigo Medications Mixing Medications with Alcohol Acute Illness More Causes of Falls Poor Posture Visual Disorders Disorders of the Central Nervous System (Alzheimer's, Parkinsons, stroke, Cerebral Palsy) Dementia (due to cognitive impairment and confusion) Poor Posture Visual Disorders such as: Impaired Vision Glaucoma Macular Degeneration Cataracts Diabetes Mellitus Glaucoma Macular Degeneration Cataracts Diabetic Retinopathy Diabetes Mellitus Affects vision in this way Parkinsons Nervous System Disorders Confusion and Dementia Interventions for Fall Risk Center of gravity control training Standing balance training Somatosensory balance training Vestibular balance training Eye-Head coordination Postural strategies Strength and endurance Center of Gravity Control Seated on backless chair Dynadisk Balance Ball Arm lifts single, double, diagonal Lateral Rotation Lean forward and backward Add bouncing, resistance and perturbations to progress Standing Balance Standing Read out loud On foam toss ball hand to hand Stand one foot on ball March with head turn Stepping over objects Four corner toe touch Somatosensory System Decreased self-perception Decreases ability to sense body parts in both static and dynamic movement Somatosensory Seated on ball, dynadisk, backless chair Weight shift, eyes closed (focus on pressure felt) Toss and catch ball, follow object with eyes and head Read while walking Stand on tip toes reach for object Standing place objects from one shelf to another. Vestibular Progressions: Seated: backless chair, dynadisk, ball, Standing: feet on floor, feet on foam, feet together, feet in tandem, single leg Moving: Arms, legs, ambulation eyes open, eyes closed Eye-Head Coordination Progressions: Seated, Standing or Moving Follow object with eyes only, add head, add weight shifts. Direction of eyes and head: up, down, side to side, diagonal 4 Postural Strategies Ankle and Hip Strategies Stepping Strategies Moving Strategies Pool Strategies Ankle and Hip Strategies Chair in front and in back of pt. (close for ankle farther apart for hip strategy) Patient leans back and forth Progress by adding foam, foam roll or balance board Stepping Strategy Patient leans forward, backward and sideways until they need to take a step. Place tape on the floor to encourage them to take bigger steps Progress using foam, foam roll, or balance board Moving Strategy Ambulate using: Narrow steps Wide steps High March Abrupt starts, stops and turns Progress: hold object in hands, stepping on to foam or foam roll Pool Strategies Pool are a great environment for balance exercises as the provide naturally occurring perturbations Patient safety, will not fall to floor Reduces the fear factor associated with falls Buoyancy of water provides support to patients suffering with pain. Strength and Endurance Balance, Strength and Endurance can be worked on at the same time Use a theraball, ankle weights, hand weights or theraband. Incorporate normal exercises while on the ball Pools offer the same advantage Place colored tape on the edges of steps for visually impaired patients. Make sure patients have handrails installed at home. Remember to connect patients back to the movement sensor. Remind patients of safety techniques during transfers and ambulation. Useful Tidbit Fallers have less muscular strength in the quadriceps and ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors compared to non-fallers (Orr et al., 2008) Six Critical Issues Six critical issues that must be considered when developing an all-inclusive strategy for optimizing balance training and fall prevention among older clients. 1. Multi-component training is superior to single- component balance training.. A well-designed exercise program should feature concurrent performance of balance exercises and additional tasks. Example: In addition to performing heel-toe walking, the client may simultaneously be asked to complete a cognitive task, such as counting backward from 100 by increments of three. The client could be asked to balance on one leg while playing catch with a light medicine ball. Multi-task balance training more closely replicates the activities of daily living in which a clients balance performance is most likely to be challenged by a disturbance. 2. Simulate loss of balance during training. Focus on balance-recovery reactions (Mansfield et al., 2007). Ultimately it is the capabilityor lack thereofto recover from a balance perturbation (loss of balance) that eventually determines whether or not a client falls. Reaching out to grab a supporting object or stepping forward with a lower limb are compensatory mechanisms aimed at preventing a fall. Effective training programs will be those that replicate sudden and unpredictable balance disturbances. 3. Couple resistance training with balance training. A Systemic review has shown that only one out our five had increased balance with resistance only. (Orr et al., 2008) 4. Correctly sequence balance exercises. Research has reported that participation in either resistance or flexibility activities prior to balance exercise can negatively impact performance (Behm et al. 2004; Moreland et al. 2004) For best results use balance training (when combined with resistance and flexibility activities) should be performed first or following aerobic activity. 5. Create innovative balance exercises. Some Ideas. Innovative Video games (Wii) Tia Chi with hand and ankle weights Fitness Ball with weights Bowling with cones Fishing (no hook) FIND OUT WHAT YOUR PATIENT LIKES TO DO. 6. Change the availability of sensory cues. Many falls happen when sensory cues are not available. Try taking some cues away when working on balance to prepare patient for these circumstances. Wear sunglasses or close eyes completely. Use unleveled surfaces, foam, bosu, etc TIA CHI Gathering and storing (energy)(root feet) arms circular Washing Machine Pushing up the sky Following the moon Wild Goose Pulling in the wave