Search the site

Eight Risk Factors

There are eight risk factors most associated with falls which have been verified by the American Geriatrics Association and other experts on aging. VNSNY Strong Foundations evaluates and treats these risk factors to provide the most comprehensive treatment possible. 

  • Medical/falls history: Medical conditions often have symptoms and side effects that contribute to falls. A nurse will take a full history to understand your loved one’s overall health.
  • Medications: Changes to a medication regimen can increase falls risk. A nurse will perform a complete review of your loved one’s medications and provide suggestions to reduce side effects leading to falls.
  • Vision: A nurse will help determine how vision might make your loved one fall and provide strategies to adapt to decreased vision.
  • Home environment: Slips and trips throughout the home are a leading cause for falls. A nurse and physical therapist will do a full assessment of the home that includes changes that can make your loved one safer.
  • Footwear: Slips and trips throughout the home are a leading cause for falls. A nurse and physical therapist will do a full assessment of the home that includes changes that can make your loved one safer.
  • Muscle strength: As we age, our muscles become weaker so a physical therapist will assess any symptoms of muscle weakness and give your loved one exercises to make him/her stronger.
  • Balance: Poor balance increases the risk for falling with each trip or slip. A physical therapist will assess the reasons your loved one may be struggling with balance and provide him/her with exercises to improve balance during everyday activities.
  • Walking: Whether walking alone or with an assistive device, a physical therapist will determine if your loved one can modify how he/she walks and uses an assistive device more safely.

For each relevant risk factor, the nurse and/or physical therapist will administer a combination of medical evaluations, patient education, and exercises designed to work together to reduce individual falls risk. In fact, programs like Strong Foundations, which combine skilled nursing with physical therapy and education, have been proven more effective than those that treat only one factor of falls risk.

Contact

Find out if your loved one is eligible for Strong Foundations. Ask your loved one’s doctor about Strong Foundations or call 1-855-VNSNY-NOW.

Home | Why VNSNY? | Our Services | Home Health Care & You | VNSNY Research | Community | Careers | Search Jobs | About Us | News & Events | Contact Us

Site Map | Terms of Use | Privacy Statements