MaineHealth provides high-quality services for older adults in the communities we serve. We are working to become designated as an "Age-Friendly Health System" by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and mobility in older adults is a major area of focus.
Fall risk screening and prevention
One quarter of adults over 65 fall each year, yet only half of these falls are reported to a health care provider. Falling does not have to be an inevitable part of the aging process. Evidence-based fall prevention education, fall risk screening tools and referral protocols are available and can help decrease falls in older adults by 24% (source: https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/).
Provider resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries (CDC STEADI)
- STEADI Toolkit Provider Tools & Resources
- The CDC STEADI Toolkit offers a coordinated approach to implementing clinical practice guidelines for fall prevention.
- Algorithm for Fall Risk Screening, Assessment and Intervention (PDF) - This tool walks you through the process of assessing fall risk, selecting interventions and following up.
- Preventing Falls in Older Adults: Pocket Guide (PDF) - This small, easy-to-use tool provides an overview of the key points of fall prevention.
- VIDEO: 30 Second Chair Stand Test - Use this test to assess a patient’s leg strength and endurance.
- VIDEO: Four Stage Balance Test - Use this test to assess a patient’s balance.
- VIDEO: Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) - Use this test to assess a patient’s mobility.
- Full STEADI Toolkit
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) also provides valuable resources.
Patient resources
- A Matter of Balance: The MaineHealth "A Matter of Balance" program is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. It includes 8 two-hour sessions for a small group of 8-12 participants led by a trained facilitator.
- Southern Maine Agency on Aging Classes
- Healthy Living for ME Programs
Additional Fall Prevention Resources: