Falls are the leading cause of injury amongst seniors, costing Albertans $288 million per year. Research shows that every year 1 out of 3 seniors will fall. So, how can healthcare providers get seniors talking about their health, and their risk of falling? By getting seniors to ask themselves the right questions.

The Finding Balance Falls Risk Self-Assessment Checklist is an evidence-based and validated screening tool created with input from seniors for use in public health outreach and education. It asks a series of weighted questions, and offers steps seniors can take to lower their risk of falling based on their score. If they score four points, or more, the next step is to talk to their healthcare provider to discuss prevention options.

“The checklist offers a quick way for older adults to improve their knowledge about fall risk and their own risk level for falling” says, Dr. Kathy Belton, Associate Director of the Injury Prevention Centre. “The goal is to reduce the risk by asking the right questions, and taking the right actions to help seniors stay independent and prevent falls.”

The questions asked in the falls risk self-assessment checklist cover topics such as: depression, muscle weakness, dizziness, medication review, mobility aids, bladder weakness and fear of falling.

Are you at risk of falling?
1. Have you fallen in the last six months? (2 pts)
2. Do you use, or have you been advised to use, a cane or walker to get around safely? (2 pts)
3. Do you sometimes feel unsteady when you are walking? (1pt)
4. Do you steady yourself by holding onto furniture when walking home? (1pt)
5. Do you worry about falling? (1pt)
6. Do you need to push yourself with your hands to stand up from a chair? (1pt)
7. Do you have some trouble stepping up onto a curb?(1pt)
8. Do you often have to rush to the toilet? (1pt)
9. Have you lost any feeling in your feet? (1pt)
10. Do you take medication to help you sleep or improve your mood? (1pt)
11. Do you take medication that sometimes makes you feel lightheaded or more tired than usual? (1pt)
12. Do you often feel sad or depressed? (1pt)
13. Do you have difficulty avoiding hazards in your path because you don’t see well? (1pt)

The self-assessment checklist is easy to share before and after a check-ups, and in waiting rooms. It encourages seniors to think about their health while gathering key information for healthcare providers. By sharing the self-assessment checklist practitioners can teach seniors and encourage them to take action to prevent falls and stay independent based on their assessment scores, and concerns.

Finding Balance is a seniors’ falls prevention program developed and programmed by the Injury Prevention Centre (IPC) in partnership with healthcare practitioners and community partners across Alberta. Finding Balance runs for the month of November.

Complete the Falls Risk Self-Assessment to find out if you are at risk www.findingbalancealberta.ca/risk