Stand Tall: Lowering Health Risks for the Aging Population

2024-03-22

Not only do walking up stairs, moving around the house, and driving to a doctor’s office get more difficult as we age, but they also become more dangerous as our risk of falling increases. According to a report from the CDC, unintentional falls are the top cause of injury and death in adults over 65. In fact, the CDC estimates that an older American falls every second. The rate at which they are dying from fall-related injuries is almost twice the rate 20 years ago. These statistics are even more staggering when we consider that the older population is growing. By 2030, experts expect a rise of approximately 31%. Research indicates that, with this growth, fatal falls could reach 100,000 per year. Older adults suffer severe repercussions from falling, so getting the right preventative care becomes essential for living a healthy and active life. Yet, access to care can be challenging due to mobility or geographic limitations. Take James, a 75-year-old man from Chicago who said, “I’m afraid of walking since I don’t want to fall. I just don’t trust myself.” He was prescribed in-person physical therapy twice, but never went because it was inconvenient. He lacked family support and adequate transportation, making it difficult to travel for in-person physical therapy. His fear left him frustrated and feeling like he was losing his independence. He’s not alone. With a National Health and Aging Trends Study estimating that half of older adults have unmet needs in care, we need new thinking on addressing fall risk in older adults. Today, new digital solutions are emerging that provide tailored exercise programs and encourage small changes to daily life that can lead to significantly lower fall risk. The fall risk older adults face One in four older Americans fall each year, according to the CDC. Falls can cause serious injuries with long-term consequences. 37% of those who fall need medical treatment or restricted activity afterwards. More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling. Moreover, post-fall complications can lead to a decline in health. In addition to the significant pain and trauma caused by falls, they also lead to financial strains. According to the CDC, three million older adults are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries each year, costing over $50 billion in medical treatments. This cost is expected to grow to a staggering $100 billion dollar problem as the population ages. Digital programs are already proven to reduce medical-service use and increase annual healthcare savings by thousands of dollars per participant. Medicare participants who used a digital therapy program for osteoarthritis conditions saw 13.5x lower hospital use and 46% cost savings overall. We can also reduce Medicare costs for the MSK conditions older adults face due to falls. Providing care with tailored therapy Research supports the need for a more holistic, individualized care plan for older adults at risk for falls. A personalized exercise therapy program tailored for strength, balance, and resistance training can help reduce the rate of falls by up to 42%, according to the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Building strength helps prevent injuries, improve functional ability, and keeps people healthy. Since many falls happen due to distractions, a physical therapist might also recommend dual tasking, which is doing some form of movement simultaneously with a cognitive exercise, such as having a conversation while reaching for something on the shelf. These physical therapy programs can be managed digitally, a convenient option for the growing number of older adults who use their smartphones today. According to Pew Research, 83% of Americans between the ages of 50-64 use a smartphone, and 61% of Americans over the age of 65 use a smartphone. In fact, digital therapy is the preferred treatment option for many patients, with 48% of people saying digital physical therapy would make it easier for them to follow their care plan, according to a recent national consumer survey on MSK pain. Digital health solutions for all Digital solutions provide an option for those like James who face barriers traveling to appointments. This is especially true for those in rural and underserved areas who need to travel longer distances to reach a physical therapist. With digital care, patients conveniently work with their physical therapists from their own homes. With the right technology, the therapist can detect joint movement and assess a patient’s form. This makes care easier for both the patient and the therapist. Continued support and the right physical therapy program will help older adults build strength and improve balance, helping them regain confidence and live happier, healthier lives.