A Person-Centered Approach to Fall Prevention

Fall prevention is a major concern for every community in which older adults live. Approximately 15% to 50% of older adults living in assisted living communities experience a fall over a 6- to 24-month period, and 4% to 22% of nursing home residents fall annually. Only a small percentage of falls result in major adverse outcomes such as a fracture or head trauma, but bruising can still cause pain, and skin tears can result in a slow healing process that requires significant nursing time. Falls also can have a psychological impact — such as instilling a fear of falling with a subsequent decline in physical activity.