Loading...
Two recently published reports focus on the need for cost-effective fall prevention in an aging population. Canadian investigators enrolled 345 community-living people (mean age, 82) who had experienced falls in the previous year. Participants were randomized to either a home-based strength and balance program plus usual care or to usual care alone (usual care was provided by a geriatrician). The intervention involved five visits from a physical therapist during the first 6 months, exercises (for strength and balance) performed three times weekly, and walking at least 30 minutes twice weekly. At 12 months, fewer major falls had occurred in the intervention group than in the control group (236 vs. 366; adjusted relative reduction, 36%). No d…