Screen All Adults
You can help to reduce falls among adults. Screening is the first step in detecting those at risk and reducing falls and the major injuries that can result from falling. Screening adults is easy and manageable to do, just by asking the right questions.
Professionals and volunteers should ask the following three questions of any adult on a regular basis. These three questions have been found to have strong value in predicting falls.
- Have you fallen in the past year?
- How many times have you fallen in the past year?
- Are you afraid of falling?
Response | Action |
---|---|
No falls | No further assessment or referral is needed. |
Yes - Single fall | Recommend visit to primary care provider for falls assessment and treatment of risk factors.
|
Yes - Multiple falls and/or Impairment of gait and/or balance | Recommend visit to primary care provider for falls assessment and treatment of risk factors. |
Yes - Fear of falling | Recommend visit to primary care provider to discuss fear of falling. |
Adults who have had one or more falls, or have impairment of gait and/or balance should undergo a multifactorial assessment.
The information provided on this page is based upon the guidelines set forth by the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Panel on Falls in Older Persons.