How to reduce falls in the elderly
"Balance and strength tasks integrated into everyday activities were effective in reducing the rate of falls in older, high-risk people living at home." Image: SLRadcliffe/iStockphoto Balance and strength training integrated into everyday routines could reduce falls in older people by almost a third, according to a new University of Sydney study.The research, published online in the British Medical Journal by researchers in the University's Faculty of Health Sciences, found balance and strength tasks integrated into everyday activities were effective in reducing the rate of falls in older, high-risk people living at home."It's well known that improving balance and strength can prevent falls in older adults, but in spite of this less than 10% of older people routinely engage in strength training," says Professor Lindy Clemson, lead author of the study."The figure for older adults engaging in activities that challenge balance is likely to be much lower."In response, Professor Clemson and her team...