How to Test for Patients at Risk of Falls

It is the time of year to increase the downside risks for patients, especially those climates conducive to snow and ice life. Unfortunately, once someone has fallen and help reduce the risk of injury is added to attack the treatment sometimes prohibitive damage (from the broken hip, for example).

How to Test for Patients at Risk of Falls

There are many assessment tests fall hazards that are used in physical therapy that can help identify patients who need a greater risk of falls and help. Once trained in the application of these tests do not take time to manage the tests, making them efficient and thus receive the attention on lowering the risk of falling into the same physical therapy session.

Timed Up and Go (TUG)

This simple test can identify patients who are at higher risk of falls and may gait problems. Using a timer, patients sit in a straight chair, and told to stand without the use of their arms, walk across the floor about ten feet, turn and return to sit in the chair . Patients who do not have problems with balance, this test in less than 10 seconds. Conversely, patients difficulties take more than 30 seconds.

Get Up and Go test

This test requires training to administer to patients, but this test will help assess the danger of falling from a patient and those who may have deficits. With only manage 5 minutes, the Get Up and Go test measures the dynamic balance with the speed of walking and functional ability for daily activities.

Berg Balance Scale (BBS)

The Berg Balance Scale test also need to manage workouts and takes about 15-20 minutes. This rate test ability of a patient to balance while performing a typical daily activity to maintain the tasks. Tests can appreciate not only the equilibrium rate, but also the strength of the upper and lower limbs.

Dynamic Gait Index

Dynamic Gait Index takes about 15 minutes to administer and rates may fall a patient. Physiotherapists are trained in the corridor zones 8 test commands to the ability of a patient to adjust their approach when changing

By Tinetti Prestatie Oriented Mobility Assessment POMA

This is a test based on tasks that can be used to assess the gait and balance of a patient. The test of 15 minutes, a patient's ability to maintain balance while doing the daily activity of tasks to test. The ability of the patient's balance is evaluated together with their body strength top and bottom.

After evaluating a patient for their risk of falling, the treatment will focus on reducing this risk. Using tools such as trainers walking, balance carpets and balls on the platform balance, build a force with trainers assets / liabilities, patients will not only reduce the risk of falls, but to gain confidence in their ability to walk through their day-to -day.

Winter and fall risk may be isolated with anxiety and an inability patient about their daily tasks necessary. It is important to identify those who have a higher risk of falls and encourage them ask for help so they can not only maintain their lifestyle but continue to live independently.