Falls in the elderly - II. Strategies for prevention

In the companion paper, we have outlined how relevant risk factors for fall s can be identified using a systematic approach. Once identified, the under lying diseases and pattern of (usually multiple) risk factors guides the de sign of an individually tailored intervention program. Such intervention pr ograms follow one or more of the following goals: (a) to treat the underlyi ng disease; (b) to reduce or even eliminate the number of falls; (c) to pre vent or minimise the associated injuries; and (d) tertiary prevention of fa ll-related disability, including immobilisation, muscle weakness, reduced f itness, osteoporosis, fear of falling and mortality. The successful results of various intervention studies underscores that falls should be regarded as a potentially treatable disorder in elderly persons. Such knowledge is i mportant for clinicians, which could apply prevention strategies to individ ual patients with risk factors that are strongly associated with falls. In addition, prevention is important for health policy makers who aim to reduc e falls in the general population by reducing or eliminating commonly prese nt risk factors (even if they are only weakly associated with falls).