falls

USPSTF Issues Recommendations For Fall Prevention in Older Adults

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued updated recommendations for the prevention of falls in older adults.

First published in 2012, the recommendations apply to community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older without known osteoporosis or vitamin D deficiency.

In their statement, the USPSTF advises the following:

  • Exercise interventions are recommended for the prevention of falls in community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older who have an increased risk for falls.
  • Clinicians are advised to selectively offer multifactorial interventions to community-dwelling adults 65 years or older with an increased risk for falls. To determine whether the service is appropriate, the balance of benefits and harms should be considered for each patient.
  • Vitamin D supplementation is not recommended for the prevention of falls in community-dwelling adults 65 years or older.

To view the full recommendation statement, click here.

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

US Preventive Services Task Force. Interventions to prevent falls in community-dwelling older adults: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement [Published online April 17, 2018]. JAMA. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.3097

 

SEE ALSO: Is Health Care for Seniors Heading in the Right Direction? (Podcast)

 

The "Survey on Aging in America" found that the majority of respondents feel the US health care system is headed in the wrong direction in regard to senior care.