Anyone over age 65.

Fifty per cent of falls happen at home.

In older adults, arthritis often coexists with frailty and that leads to a higher risk of falls. We know that about 40-50 per cent of older adults with osteoarthritis are physically frail and, in people who are frail, the risk of falls is higher.

Physical frailty is a collection of symptoms that usually includes loss of muscle mass and weakness. People may unintentionally lose weight – for example, 10lbs in a year without trying. They may feel fatigued, move slower and be less active. An older adult is defined as having frailty when they have three or more of these symptoms happening at the same time. Frailty by itself is a condition. It can get better or worse. Physical activity is a promising strategy to help people move from being frail to more robust.

When someone has a fall, it’s important for them to have a strategy to prevent future falls. That’s why the Otago Exercise Program is such an effective intervention. It has been shown to reduce the risk of future falls in people who fell in the past.

The Otago Exercise Program was developed by a group of researchers at the University of Otago in the 1990s. It has been evaluated by researchers around the world showing that it helps to reduce the risk of falls in older populations. The program has two components: strength and balance exercises and walking. It’s a standardized set of exercises that is prescribed, tailored for older adults and is to be done three times per week. Short walks are to be done twice a week.

Physiotherapists deliver the Otago Exercise Program. It involves 4-5 home visits and, at the first visit, a therapist does the assessment and prescribes exercises. At a follow-up visit, exercises are tailored and changes may be made as the person is able to do more. Between those visits, participants receive phone calls to make sure they’re doing okay. This happens in the first six months. In the subsequent six months, older adults receive a monthly phone call to check on their exercise program.

Otago is a robust exercise program and it’s tailored for individuals to help them improve muscle strength and balance. The program has been shown, over the last 20 years, to help reduce the risk of falls. One of the studies done in British Columbia showed that exercise programs can reduce falls by over 50 per cent in older adults who are frail and have fallen in the past.

Only 25 per cent of people who start the program, continue with it over time.

People may not continue with the Otago Exercise Program for a variety of reasons. For example, they might not have time, they may forget, or they struggle to remember the specific exercises.

We’re testing a strategy to support physiotherapists who deliver the program to help older adults set goals and develop an exercise plan that’s realistic for them. We’re also testing the use of an app that will allow older adults to see their exercise program, follow it and record it as they finish. A therapist at the other end will then be able to see the progression of the exercise over time. The ultimate end goal is to prevent falls.

Physical activity is very important. It’s good for fall prevention and general health. For people with arthritis, in particular, exercise helps keep muscles and bones strong. It also lowers the risk of other conditions that are related to arthritis like heart and lung disease.

We should always be thinking about fall prevention.

For residents of British Columbia, the Physiotherapy Association of BC can help.

Read More

It is a good idea to break up sitting time during the day. This is a good example how it can be done.

It is best to check directly with the clinic. There may be other programs available to those younger than 65.

We recruit from the Vancouver Falls Prevention Clinic. To access the service, you need a referral from a geriatrician.

The Otago Exercise Program is usually delivered by a physiotherapist or a nurse at the person’s home. In British Columbia, it is mainly delivered by physiotherapists. You can get a referral from a geriatrician to a PT who does home visits and delivers the program in your area.

The Otago program is not designed for a specific age group, but for people who are at a high risk of falls, including those who had a recent fall. Many of these individuals are frail, older adults.

In the Falls Prevention Study, we collaborate with the Vancouver Falls Prevention Clinic to provide training for the Otago Exercise Program to physiotherapists who are interested in participating in the study.

Read More

Make sure pathways, halls and stairways are well lit and free of clutter. Grab bars in the bathroom can be useful for getting off toilet seats or in/out of bath tubs. You may wish to consult with an occupational therapist for further advice.

Arthritis can sometimes get in the way of daily activities. If this is the case for you, it is a good idea to consult with a physiotherapist who has experience working with people with arthritis for your specific needs. To find a physiotherapist in British Columbia, visit the Physiotherapy Association of BC.

Read More

It is best to have a health professional assess you first so that the exercises are safe for you.

To participate in a study at the Falls Prevention Clinic, one needs to be referred for a fall risk assessment and/or a comprehensive geriatric assessment.

Read More

It is sometimes hard to multi-task. Slow down and avoid multi-tasking when walking up/down stairs/curbs. An assessment by your doctor or physiotherapist can be helpful if you are concerned about your risk of falling.

Some physiotherapists and other professionals are trained to deliver the Otago Exercise Program, many of them work in the community because the program includes several home visits. The best way to find out is to ask the health professional if they deliver this program.

Yes, there are tests that your health professionals can do to assess your muscle strength, mobility and balance to determine fall risks. There are also established criteria to assess physical frailty. In addition to the items mentioned, health professionals will also assess things like weight loss, physical activity level, and energy level to determine where a person is at in the continuum from a robust health state to frailty.

It is important to have your medication reviewed by your doctor or pharmacist when you often experience dizziness.

It is correct that the guidelines recommend no more than eight hours of sitting/rest time in the day. But it is certainly a good idea to keep the sedentary time low and break up sitting during the day.

GLAD is excellent for people with hip/knee osteoarthritis to keep active.

Yes, pool exercise is good for people with arthritis.

Standing exercise is great for bone strength but there is also good evidence that lifting weights, even when seated, can help to strengthen bone.

The key is to find something that you like to do and do it with a friend/family member.

Research has shown that pets, especially walking with dogs, is an effective way to increase your physical activity.