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Frequently Asked Questions
Technical Questions
How do I view or print a .PDF file?
Many of the documents available on this website can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat Reader. Adobe Acrobat Reader software is a utility for viewing Portable Document Format (PDF) files, a standard file format for electronic distribution. This software will allow you to view and print documents exactly as they were originally created. To download this software for free, go to the Adobe website.
When I follow a link on your site, I get this message: "Error 404: Not Found- The requested URL was not found on this server."
If you experience this error, please email info@stopfalls.org or call 213-740-1364 and we will correct the problem.
Fall-Related Questions
Where do falls among older adults occur most frequently?
According to the data compiled from the 1997 and 1998 National Health Interview Survey, the majority (55%) of fall injuries among older people occurred inside the house, whereas an additional 23% occurred outside but near the house and 22% occurred away from the home (Kochera, 2002). In addition, Gill et al. (2000) reported that older persons who resided in dwelling units that had no stairs fell in the following areas: hallways (10%), bathrooms (13%), kitchens (19%), bedrooms (30%), and living rooms (31%).
What are the long-term consequences (effects) of falls among older adults?
Falls have devastating consequences for older adults in terms of morbidity and mortality. For example, falls and fall-related injuries have been the leading cause of injury deaths among older adults (Stevens, 2002/2003). Fall-related hip fractures account for approximately 25 percent of injury deaths among those over age 65, and 34 percent of injury deaths among those aged 85 or older (Peek-Asa & Zwerling, 2003).
What are the major risk factors for falls among older adults?
Risk factors associated with falls include intrinsic factors (e.g., age-related physiological changes, impairments to the sensory-nervous system, disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and specific acute and chronic diseases) as well as extrinsic factors (e.g., environmental hazards and obstacles interfering with safe mobility, and medication side effects) (Steinberg, Cartwright, Peel, & Williams, 2000; Tideiksaar, 2001).
What kinds of fall prevention intervention programs are currently available?
Various types of intervention strategies have been implemented with different target populations and in a variety of settings (Rose, 2002/2003). In general, these intervention strategies include, but are not limited to: (1) fall risk assessment and management (including medication management), (2) physical activity-based interventions, (3) environmental modifications, (4) education, (5) assistive devices, (6) visual interventions, and (7) footwear interventions.
What are the best strategies for fall prevention?
Research indicates that the most effective interventions to prevent falls for persons at moderate to high risk of falls are multi-factorial, including environmental modifications along with risk assessment (including medication management) and physical activity (exercise).
Questions
About the Website
What is the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence?
FPCE is a public-private interdisciplinary partnership drawn from four organizations:
- University of Southern California's Andrus Gerontology Center (Andrus);
- The Center for Successful Aging (CSA) at California State University, Fullerton;
- The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC);
- The California Department of Health Services, State and Local Injury Control Section (SLIC).
Our vision is to create a Center of excellence to ensure the independence, safety, and well-being of older persons through fall prevention. Our mission is to provide leadership, create new knowledge, and develop sustainable programs for seniors and their families, professionals, program administrators, and policymakers. We seek to better understand and identify causes of falls and develop effective interventions at individual, program and systems levels.
How do I contact the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence?
The Fall Prevention Center of Excellence is headquartered at the University of Southern California Andrus Gerontology Center, located at 3715 McClintock Ave., Room 228, Los Angeles, California 90089-0191.Tel: (213)740-1364; Fax: (213)740-7069; E-mail: info@stopfalls.org.
Do you allow other websites to link to your reports, fact sheets, and other documents?
Yes. The Fall Prevention Center of Excellence encourages non-profit organizations, government agencies, academic institutions, and other organizations to link to www.stopfalls.org. Please note that you can link to this website without permission or charge.
How do I find what's new on your site?
The best way to stay up-to-date on what's new on www.stopfalls.org is to join our email list and receive email updates and newsletters. You can also visit the site regularly to check out the "Latest News" and "Calendar" section.
Does your Center have a national focus or are you primarily concerned with preventing falls in California?
Our Center’s focus is on fall prevention in the state of California. However, we believe our multifactorial approach toward fall prevention should be employed nationwide.
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