Articles
The Journal on Active Aging brings articles of value to professionals dedicated to older-adult quality of life. Content sweeps across the active-aging landscape to focus on education and practice. Find articles of interest by searching the article archives in three ways: Enter a keyword in the articles search bar; click on search by topic; or type a keyword or phrase in the general search bar at the top of the page.
Topic- Falls management
Lesson plan for a balance class by Susan Bovre, M.A.
Maintaining balance is the result of a complex interaction of many systems and subsystems of the human body. With aging, changes occur that reduce the efficiency of these systems, which jeopardizes balance and increases the risk of falls.
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Effect of medication use on balance and mobility by Debra J. Rose, Ph.D.
In addition to certain medical conditions being strongly associated with increased fall risk among the elderly, both the type and number of medications prescribed to older adults contribute to heightened fall risk. Specifically, it has been demonstrated that older adults who are taking more than four prescription medications are four times more likely to sustain a fall than their peers who are taking fewer prescriptions medications (Campbell, Borrie & Spears, 1989).
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Maintaining safe balance and mobility: when is fitness enough and when is medical help needed? by Lewis M. Nashner
A wealth of new information indicates that declines in mobility and increased risk for falls are not inevitable consequences of aging. So why has there been a frightening increase in the rates of injury and disability related to falls in the aging population?1, 2, 3 Why do epidemiological studies show that one-third or more of those over 65 years-old experience falls, half of whom do so repeatedly? Why are dizziness and unsteadiness among the most common reasons for physician visits among older adults? Why is unsafe mobility a leading cause for loss of an independent lifestyle?
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