Exercise to prevent falls recommended for older adults at increased risk for falls

For adults 65 years or older who are at increased risk of falling, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends exercise, such as supervised individual and group classes and physical therapy, to prevent falls, and that clinicians selectively check older adults’ risks for falls and then offer tailored interventions that address those specific risks. The USPSTF recommends against vitamin D supplementation.

Background: The USPSTF routinely makes recommendations about the effectiveness of preventive care services. This latest recommendation statement is an update of the 2012 recommendation on the prevention of falls in older adults living in the community. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related illness and death among older adults in the United States. In 2014, nearly 30 percent of community-dwelling adults 65 or older reported falling, resulting in 29 million falls and an estimated 33,000 deaths in 2015.

Source: Exercise to prevent falls recommended for older adults at increased risk for falls