Final Recommendation Statement: Interventions to Prevent Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Final Recommendation Statement: Falls Prevention in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Interventions - US Preventive Services Task Force

Final Recommendation Statement: Interventions to Prevent Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Final Recommendation Statement: Interventions to Prevent Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released today a final recommendation statement on interventions to prevent falls in community-dwelling older adults. The Task Force found that exercise interventions can help prevent falls. It also found that risk assessments and tailored interventions may be beneficial to some older adults. To view the recommendation and the evidence on which it is based, please go here. The final recommendation statement can also be found in the April 17 online issue of JAMA. The Final Recommendation Statement Is Available

FINAL RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY See the full statement

Population Recommendation Grade Adults 65 years or older The USPSTF recommends exercise interventions to prevent falls in community-dwelling adults 65 years or older who are at increased risk for falls. B Adults 65 years or older The USPSTF recommends that clinicians selectively offer multifactorial interventions to prevent falls to community-dwelling adults 65 years or older who are at increased risk for falls. Existing evidence indicates that the overall net benefit of routinely offering multifactorial interventions to prevent falls is small. When determining whether this service is appropriate for an individual, patients and clinicians should consider the balance of benefits and harms based on the circumstances of prior falls, presence of comorbid medical conditions, and the patient’s values and preferences. C Adults 65 years or older The USPSTF recommends against vitamin D supplementation to prevent falls in community-dwelling adults 65 years or older. D

WHY THIS MATTERS

“Falling is the most common cause of unintentional injury for older adults. The Task Force found that clinicians can help many older adults prevent falls by recommending exercise or physical therapy.” – Task Force vice chair Alex Krist, M.D., M.P.H.

WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS

Draft Research Plan Final Research Plan Draft Recommendation / Draft Evidence Review  Final Recommendation / Evidence Summary Final Recommendation Statement: Falls Prevention in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Interventions - US Preventive Services Task Force