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Falls are a serious health threat to older adults, and fall-prevention strategies work well. Published trial results support both these facts. However, when prevention strategies must be integrated into existing healthcare systems, the results can be disappointing, as two new studies demonstrate.
New Zealand researchers recruited 312 older adults (mean age, 81; mean number of medical conditions, 7) from local family practices; all had fallen at least once during the preceding year. Half the participants received fall-prevention referrals (e.g., medical, optometry, podiatry, exercise program) from a specially trained visiting nurse; half received routine care. The nurse also coordinated minor home improvements (such as replacing light bulbs a…