Medicare recommends every Medicare recipient undergo a yearly Fall Risk Assessment. It can be done alone or as part of an Annual Wellness Visit performed by your primary care provider. Some Medicare Advantage plans, like HealthTeam Advantage, also have resources focused on reducing the risks of falls.
A Fall Risk Assessment includes a simple questionnaire and, ideally, having you stand up and take a few steps while you’re observed by a trained member of the staff.
If you score high on the questionnaire or if staff observes you have gait or balance issues, you should discuss this with your provider. There are several possible fixes to try to prevent falls and injuries.
Here are some common solutions:
- Physical therapy to improve gait/balance
- A home health evaluation (to evaluate the home for possible fall risks and make recommendations.
- Use of a rolling walker or a cane
- Changes in medications
Do you wonder how you’d score on a Fall Risk Assessment? Here are some sample questions:
- Have you fallen two or more times in the past 12 months?
- Do you feel unsteady when you walk?
- Have you been told you have problems with your memory?
- Are you sometimes incontinent of urine?
- Are you on medications for your bladder, mood, sleep, blood pressure, or chronic pain? (Do not stop any medications without first talking to your provider.)
If you answered yes to any of these questions, make an appointment to discuss your risk of falling with your provider. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
