Sentara Health Plans

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says more than one out of four older adults falls each year, but less than half tell their provider. More than 400 factors affect your chances of falling.

Once you have a fall, you are much more likely to experience another. Just being scared of falling makes it more likely to happen and may cause you to cut back on daily activities. When you are less active, you become weaker, and this increases your chances of falling¹.

As our bodies age, we lose some strength, coordination, and flexibility. As our eyes age, it is harder to see edges and obstacles. Having diabetes can make eyesight even worse.

Some medications can cause side effects that increase the chances of falling. Also, chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis can increase the risk of falling because they lead to loss of body function and less physical activity.

Did you know...

Each year, 3 million older people are treated in emergency rooms for injuries from falls¹
Falling leads to the most hospital admissions among older adults¹
1 out of 5 falls causes a serious injury like broken bones or head injuries¹
More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling, and at least 300,000 older people are hospitalized for hip fractures yearly¹
Falls are the most common reason for traumatic brain injuries (TBI)¹

Knowing your fall risk can help you prevent a fall. Take the assessment below to find out your risk and what you can do to prevent falls!

Form

I have fallen in the past year.
People who have fallen once are likely to fall again. Yes (2) No (0)

I use or have been advised to use a cane or walker to get around safely.
People who have been advised to use a cane or walker may already be more likely to fall. Yes (2) No (0)

Sometimes I feel unsteady when I am walking.
Unsteadiness or needing support while walking are signs of poor balance. Yes (1) No (0)

I steady myself by holding onto furniture when walking at home.
This is also a sign of poor balance. Yes (1) No (0)

I am worried about falling.
People who are worried about falling are more likely to fall. Yes (1) No (0)

I need to push with my hands to stand up from a chair.
This is a sign of weak leg muscles, a major reason for falling. Yes (1) No (0)

I have some trouble stepping up onto a curb.
This is also a sign of weak leg muscles. Yes (1) No (0)

I often have to rush to the toilet.
Rushing to the bathroom, especially at night, increases your chance of falling. Yes (1) No (0)

I have lost some feeling in my feet.
Numbness in your feet can cause stumbles and lead to falls. Yes (1) No (0)

I take medicine that sometimes makes me feel light-headed or more tired than usual.
Side effects from medicines can sometimes increase your chance of falling. Yes (1) No (0)

I take medicine to help me sleep or improve my mood.
These medicines can sometimes increase your chance of falling. Yes (1) No (0)

I often feel sad or depressed.
Symptoms of depression, such as not feeling well or feeling slowed down, are linked to falls. Yes (1) No (0)

Total:

Tips to Keep You from Falling
Now that you know your fall risk, what can you do to keep yourself safe? There are easy lifestyle changes you can make that can help prevent a fall. Here are some ideas to consider:

Stay active. Decide on an exercise program that is right for you and talk to your doctor about it. Regular exercise improves balance and strength. It also helps keep your joints, tendons, and ligaments flexible, which will help keep you from falling.

Get your vision and hearing checked. They both play a key role in your balance and the prevention of falls. If you get new eyeglasses or contact lenses, take time to get used to them. Always wear your glasses or contacts when you need them. If you have diabetes, make sure to schedule an annual diabetic eye exam². If you have a hearing aid, be sure it fits well and that you are using it.

Take your prescribed medications as directed. If you are taking medication that makes you feel sleepy or dizzy, talk to your doctor right away about your options.

Stand up slowly. Getting up too quickly can cause your blood pressure to drop, which can make you feel unsteady. Consider using your Over-the-Counter (OTC) Product Allowance to purchase a cane, walker, or another assistive device. Learn how to use these devices properly and always use them when walking. Be sure to use the handrail when going up and down stairs.

Get enough sleep. Doctors say if you are sleepy, you are more likely to fall. Aim for 7–9 hours of rest every night.

Always tell your doctor if you fall even if you didn’t get hurt. They can help you come up with a plan to prevent future falls.

Make Your Home Safer
We spend most of our time at home and that’s where experts say most falls happen. Take steps to prevent a fall by making simple changes.

Avoid wearing slippers and socks around the house. They might cause you to slip because they do not have much traction. Instead, wear sensible shoes with nonskid soles.

Keep your home well-lit to avoid tripping on objects that may be hard to see. Use night lights in bedrooms, bathrooms, and hallways. Make sure a lamp is in reach of your bed in case you need get up in the middle of the night.

Look around your home for items that could be a tripping hazard. To make your home safer, remove boxes, electrical cords, and phone cords from walkways. Secure loose rugs with double-face tape, or remove them altogether.

Assistive devices in the bathroom, like grab bars and anti-slip bathmats, can be a big help. Through your plan, you may obtain up to two bathroom safety devices³ per year through NationsBenefits^®. You can order these products and more here. You can also call 1-877-438-7521 (TTY: 711), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Keep Moving
Don’t forget to use your SilverSneakers^® fitness benefit to help you stay active! This benefit is no cost to you and includes:

SilverSneakers LIVE^™ online classes and workshops
On-demand workout videos in the SilverSneakers OnDemand^™ library
SilverSneakers GO^™ mobile app with digital workouts
Free membership at over 15,000 fitness locations in your community and nationwide

Visit SilverSneakers or call 1-888-423-4632 (TTY: 711), Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Also be sure to check out this SilverSneakers video for more information.

Helpful links for more information:
CDC Facts About Falls
CDC Older Adult Fall Prevention
CDC STEADI What You Can Do to Prevent Falls
CDC Check for Safety - A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults
CDC Postural Hypotension - What it is & How to Manage it

Need help?
We can help you evaluate your fall risk and provide more information about what you can do to stay safe. Click here if you would like us to contact you.

If you need help with the fall risk assessment above or have any questions, please call Sentara Health Plans Medicare Member Services:
1-800-927-6048 (TTY: 711)
October 1 - March 31 | 7 days a week | 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
April 1 - September 30 | Monday - Friday | 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

After business hours and on weekends and holidays, our automated phone system will answer your call.

The fall assessment was developed by the Greater Los Angeles VA Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center and affiliates and is a validated fall risk self-assessment tool (Rubenstein et al. J Safety Res; 2011: 42(6)493-499). Adapted with permission of the authors.

¹Source: cdc.gov
²Rewards available for these visits/screenings. Rewards are not available on the Sentara Health Plans Medicare Savings (HMO) plan.
³This benefit is not available on the Sentara Health Plans Medicare Savings (HMO) plan.
⁴There may be costs associated with this service.

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Sentara Health Plans is the trade name for Sentara Health Plans, Sentara Health Insurance Company, Sentara Health Administration, Inc., and Sentara Behavioral Health Services, Inc. Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) products, and Point-of-Service (POS) products are issued and underwritten by Sentara Health Plans. Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) products are issued and underwritten by Sentara Health Insurance Company. Sentara Health Administration, Inc. provides administrative services to group and individual health plans but does not underwrite benefits. All plans have benefit exclusions and limitations and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. Medicare products are administered under an agreement with Sentara Health Plans and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Medicaid and FAMIS products are administered under an agreement with Sentara Health Plans and the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS).