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Fall and injury prevention

Injuries can have significant consequences for healthy aging. Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults. More than 95 per cent of hip fractures are caused by falling. The good news? Falls can be prevented. Evaluate your risk factors and try strength and balance exercises. Find out more about the latest research below.f

Steady on your feet: New ways to improve balance and avoid falls
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Stop the spinning: Exercises and manoeuvers that help with vertigo
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Avoid falls with these 4 simple tips
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  • Evidence Summary

    Exercise alone, and in combination with different fall prevention strategies may lower the risk of falls leading to injuries in older adults 65 and over

    Rating 5 out of 5 stars
    JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association (2017)
  • Evidence Summary

    Fall-prevention strategies based on individual patient needs may be better at reducing falls in acute-care settings

    Rating 5 out of 5 stars
    JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports (2017)
  • Evidence Summary

    Interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community

    Rating 5 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2012)
  • Evidence Summary

    Older people with mental health issues should be offered strategies with several components to help reduce their risk of falling

    Rating 5 out of 5 stars
    BMC Nursing (2014)
  • Evidence Summary

    Fall prevention exercise programs reduce falls and prevent injuries in older community dwelling people.

    Rating 5 out of 5 stars
    BMJ (2013)
  • Evidence Summary

    Vitamin D supplementation may decrease the risk of falls in some older adults

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    BMC Geriatrics (2024)
  • Evidence Summary

    Driving training may decrease car crashes and enhance driving skills in older adults

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Geriatrics & Gerontology International (2023)
  • Evidence Summary

    Environmental interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2023)
  • Evidence Summary

    In older people living in aged care homes, exercise programs reduce falls by the end of the program but not after the program ends

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Age Ageing (2023)
  • Evidence Summary

    Interventions for preventing falls in Parkinson's disease.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2022)
  • Evidence Summary

    In people with cognitive impairment, cholinesterase inhibitors reduce risk for falls but increase risk for fainting

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Age Ageing (2023)
  • Evidence Summary

    In healthy older adults, dance-based mind–motor activities (e.g., folk or ballroom dancing or tai chi) reduce risk for falls and improve balance, mobility, and lower body strength

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    JAMA Netw Open (2020)
  • Evidence Summary

    Long-term exercise reduces falls, but not hospitalization or death, in older people

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    JAMA Intern Med (2018)
  • Evidence Summary

    In older adults, some podiatry interventions reduce falls compared with usual care

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Age Ageing (2019)
  • Evidence Summary

    Exercise for preventing falls in older people living in the community.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2019)
  • Evidence Summary

    Interventions for preventing falls in older people in care facilities and hospitals.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2018)
  • Evidence Summary

    Exercise helps to prevent falls in older people living in the community

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    JAMA (2018)
  • Evidence Summary

    In people over 50 who live in the community, vitamin D or calcium supplements, alone or combined, do not prevent fractures

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    JAMA (2017)
  • Evidence Summary

    Providing rehabilitation tailored to older adults with hip fracture improves their recovery after surgery

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (2015)
  • Evidence Summary

    Tai Chi reduces falls in older people and people who are at higher risk of falling

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    J Am Geriatr Soc (2017)
  • Evidence Summary

    Home-based occupational therapy can improve physical functioning in older adults with declining health

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy (2016)
  • Evidence Summary

    Falls-prevention exercise programs reduce falls in older adults living in care facilities

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing (2017)
  • Evidence Summary

    Exercise improves balance, lower limb strength and gait in older adults with diabetes

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications (2016)
  • Evidence Summary

    Exercise can prevent falls in older people

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Br J Sports Med (2016)
  • Evidence Summary

    In people over 50 years of age, calcium supplements have a small effect on preventing fractures

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    BMJ (2015)
  • Evidence Summary

    Lower limb muscle strengthening exercises can reduce the risk of falls in older adults.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Brazilian journal of physical therapy (2014)
  • Evidence Summary

    Personalized home-based exercise programs improve strength, balance and lower risk of falls

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Maturitas (2015)
  • Evidence Summary

    Pilates is a promising way to improve balance in older adults

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (2015)
  • Evidence Summary

    Balance-recovery training may lower risk of falls for older adults and people with Parkinson’s disease

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Physical Therapy (2015)
  • Evidence Summary

    Exercise helps prevent falls in older adults with cognitive impairment

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (2015)
  • Evidence Summary

    Exercise programs help prevent falls but not broken bones among older adults in long-term care facilities

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (2013)
  • Evidence Summary

    Wii-based exercise programs help to improve balance of older adults

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Clinical Interventions in Aging (2014)
  • Evidence Summary

    Older adults’ use of fall detection and prevention technology can be improved by enhancing usability, independence and safety

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    International Journal of Medical Informatics (2014)
  • Evidence Summary

    Elastic resistance training is effective for improving muscle strength in older adults

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Archives of Gerontology & Geriatrics (2013)
  • Evidence Summary

    In people who have knee osteoarthritis, physical therapy improves balance and reduces risk of falls

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Age Ageing (2014)
  • Evidence Summary

    Older adults with dementia and their caregivers should be engaged in care decisions to improve the adoption of effective falls prevention strategies

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Gerontologist (2013)
  • Evidence Summary

    Physical exercise interventions may improve walking speed and physical functioning measures in frail older adults

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (2014)
  • Evidence Summary

    Stopping psychotropic medications can reduce falls and improve cognition

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Age Ageing (2014)
  • Evidence Summary

    Multicomponent exercise training improves physical functioning in frail older adults

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Rejuvenation Research (2013)
  • Evidence Summary

    Psychological and educational interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community.

    Rating 3 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2024)
  • Evidence Summary

    Exercise for reducing falls in people living with and beyond cancer.

    Rating 3 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2018)
  • Evidence Summary

    Cognitive-behavioural therapy can reduce fear of falling

    Rating 3 out of 5 stars
    Age Ageing (2018)
  • Evidence Summary

    Fall-prevention programs that specifically target at-risk nursing home residents may prove most effective in reducing the prevalence of falls

    Rating 3 out of 5 stars
    Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (2015)
  • Evidence Summary

    Fall-prevention education delivered during or after hospitalization can be an effective means of reducing falls among older adults

    Rating 3 out of 5 stars
    Health Education Journal (2013)
  • Evidence Summary

    Dedicated osteoporosis health professionals can effectively screen and treat outpatients with acute low trauma fractures

    Rating 3 out of 5 stars
    Archives of Osteoporosis (2014)
  • Evidence Summary

    Collaborative care provided by geriatricians and surgeons to older adults with hip fracture reduces risk of death and time in hospital

    Rating 3 out of 5 stars
    Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma (2014)
  • Evidence Summary

    Review of programs to reduce in-hospital falls in U.S. acute care hospitals shows that some programs are beneficial but reporting is poor

    Rating 3 out of 5 stars
    J Am Geriatr Soc (2013)
  • Evidence Summary

    Sensor technologies can assess fall risk in older adults but must be implemented in a way which best suits users and clinicians

    Rating 2 out of 5 stars
    BMC Geriatrics (2018)
  • Blog Post

    Supplements for falls prevention: What role can vitamin D and calcium play?

    Research looks into whether vitamin D and calcium supplementation are effective for fall prevention.
  • Blog Post

    3 populations that benefit from falls prevention strategies

    Research highlights populations that benefit from falls prevention strategies and what those strategies are.
  • Blog Post

    Assistive Technology Made Easy: Exploring the AccessATCanada Navigation Portal

    Navigating the world of assistive technology can feel overwhelming, but the AccessATCanada navigation portal changes the game by simplifying the process of finding programs and services in Canada. With tools that let users refine searches by location, technology type, and eligibility criteria, the portal offers a personalized way to connect with life-changing resources.
  • Blog Post

    Addressing your environment for falls prevention?

    Clear walkways ahead! Research points to the effectiveness of environmental programs for falls prevention.
  • Blog Post

    Parkinson’s and falls prevention: What works?

    Research highlights what falls prevention strategies may be beneficial for people living with Parkinson’s disease.
  • Blog Post

    Cause for concern? Medications and falls in people living with cognitive impairment

    Research addresses questions around side effects related to commonly prescribed cognitive enhancers.
  • Blog Post

    Judo for older adults: Learning to fall (safely)

    Almost a third of Canadians aged 60 and over are at risk of at least one fall each year. Falls are always unpredictable and can leave serious consequences for older adults. Can the practice of judo help prevent fall-related injuries among older adults?
  • Blog Post

    3 evidence-based strategies for foot health

    Research shows there are many benefits to promoting the health of our feet.
  • Blog Post

    Getting your ‘feet’ in the game! Can exercising your feet help you stay on them?

    From injury to death, falls are a major concern for older adults. Recent research looks at how strengthening the muscles in our feet and ankles can help to reduce the risk of falls.
  • Blog Post

    Aging in your smart home while preserving your privacy

    More and more smart technologies are making their way into our homes. While smart technologies appear promising to support aging at home, can it maintain our privacy?
  • Blog Post

    “Dancing” our way to fewer falls and better physical function?

    Are you looking for fall prevention strategies that can help keep you on your feet? Research shows that dance-based mind-motor activities may help you with these efforts.
  • Blog Post

    Foot health: A ground-up approach to preventing falls

    A ground-up approach—starting with the health of your feet—might be just what you need to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground.
  • Blog Post

    Conquer your fear of falling with cognitive behavioural therapy

    Many older adults have a fear of falling. Cognitive behavioural therapy may help people overcome this fear by reducing negative thoughts about falls and shifting their focus to what they can do to curb their falls risk.
  • Blog Post

    Watch your step! Fall prevention for seniors living in the community

    For seniors still living at home, falls are a concern. Fortunately, exercise alone or in combination with other fall prevention strategies can help keep one’s feet firmly planted on the ground.
  • Blog Post

    Past-menopause? Exercise your way to better bone health

    For women, menopause is an inevitable part of aging, as is bone loss to some extent. But there are things you can do to improve or preserve your bone density and slow down bone loss. Surprise... it’s exercise!
  • Blog Post

    Feeling unsteady? Exercise can help prevent falls in long-term care

    Feeling off-balance? Stand up to falls with exercise. Exercise combined with other fall prevention strategies is a promising way to lower the rate of falls in older adults living in long-term care.
  • Blog Post

    The research based benefits of music for walking

    Walking speed reveals a lot about your overall health and walking ability changes with age. Research shows that music can help!
  • Blog Post

    Worried about breaking a bone? 5 tips you should know before it happens

    Breaking up may be hard to do, but breaking a bone is easy – especially as we age. Get tips on how to protect yourself.
  • Blog Post

    3 research-based benefits of yoga for healthy aging

    Want to age well? Consider making yoga part of your regular activities.
  • Blog Post

    Avoid falls with these 4 simple tips

    Many older adults experience a fall as they get older. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Here are four evidence-based tips to lower your falls risk and promote healthy aging.
  • Blog Post

    Stop the spinning: Exercises and manoeuvers that help with vertigo

    Whether or not you’re a fan of amusement parks, no one likes to feel like they’re on a never-ending Tilt-a-Whirl ride! Can exercises and manoeuvers help relieve symptoms of vertigo?
  • Blog Post

    5 tips to stay healthy at home

    Research-based recommendations to stay in your home and community safely, independently and comfortably for as long as possible.
  • Blog Post

    Build strength to age well! The benefits of progressive resistance training

    Evidence shows this type of strength training helps improve leg strength and walking speed.
  • Blog Post

    There's an app for that! Using technology to promote healthy aging

    Activity trackers, monitors, computer applications, wearables.... there are plenty of options and some can be pricey. Before you spend the money, find out which health gadgets are a good investment in your health and well-being.
  • Blog Post

    Steady on your feet: New ways to improve balance and avoid falls

    Building and maintaining your balance helps reduce the risk of falling. The latest evidence measures the balance benefits of Pilates and balance-recovery training.
  • Blog Post

    Wii-based exercise programs for seniors – not your grandkids’ Nintendo

    “Exergames” using virtual reality technology such as Nintendo’s Wii Fit system are popular, fun and can help you exercise from your living room. Research shows that they can also help promote better balance in older adults - an important way to help reduce the risk of falls.
  • Blog Post

    When it might be wise to stop taking certain medications

    Certain drugs can increase risk for falls or confusion in older adults. Regularly review your medication with your doctor to reduce these risks.
  • Blog Post

    Broken hip? Home-based rehabilitation may help get you moving again

    Rehabilitation programs to improve mobility, function, balance and strength help patients recover faster and avoid long-term disability after hip surgery.
  • Evidence Summary

    Fall-prevention strategies that include multiple components are effective at reducing fall rates and the total number of falls among older adults

    BMC Geriatrics (2014)
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