This text based course is a transcript of the live webinar titled, "Falls Prevention and Effectiveness of Tai Chi in Reducing Fall Risk Among Older Adults", by Jane Painter, Ed.D, OTR/L, FAOTA
>> Jane Painter: I would like to ask how many of you have had experience in doing fall prevention programs. Today I am going to talk to you about falls prevention and Tai Chi, and provide you some information on the latest evidence-based practice. First we are going to discuss the prevalence, ramifications, and risks of falls, among community dwelling older adults. I will also be talking about utilizing evidence-based programs within your own practice areas, fall prevention strategies, and other information regarding what occupational therapy practitioners may integrate into their practice and recognize and discuss the benefits of Tai Chi as one fall prevention strategy to enhance the strength, balance, socialization, and mental well-being with your older clientele.
How is an unexplained fall defined?
First of all, how is an unexplained fall defined? According to the World Health Organization, it is an "event which results in a person coming to rest inadvertently on the ground or floor or other lower level" when the person really did not intend to be on the ground. It may include slips or trips, but does not include any event that could occur for anyone of any age to fall, such as sitting on a porch swing and the swing collapses or the porch collapses, having a seizure walking in the parking lot of a grocery store, or being hit by a rogue grocery cart. Again it is when a person comes to rest on the ground inadvertently, and many times an older person will say I do not know what happened. "One time I was standing up and the next thing I knew I was on the ground and do not know why".
Prevalence of Falls
Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury death among people 65 years and older in 2006. You can see on this slide that falls account for 45% of unintentional death injuries, while the next closest is motor vehicle injuries at 18%. That is quite a difference of 45% to 18% in regards to the cause of unintentional deaths among older adults.
It was also the leading cause of nonfatal injuries among people 65 years and older in the United States in 2008. It was an astonishing 62% while all of the others are very small percentages in regards to being struck by or against an object, motor vehicle occupant, overexertion, cut or pierced injury, having a bite or sting, other transportation, poisoning, unknown and all others.
