Questionnaire May Help Avoid Elderly Falls

U.S. researchers suggest a questionnaire could help prevent falls by the elderly — a major cause of injury and death in older people.

The Indiana University Bloomington researchers suggest their 15-minute questionnaire — administered by a doctor or health professional — could be used to signal cognitive function and balance problems in elderly patients in time to take action to prevent falls.

It’s an accessible, easy tool to identify people with risk, lead study author Koichi Kitano of Indiana University Bloomington School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation said in a statement.

The study involved 28 residents ranging in age from 80 to 90. The researchers want to continue their research with larger numbers of people and more diverse populations and explore how stretches and exercises may improve balance and whether cognitive exercises might prove effective.

Kitano discussed the study at the American College of Sports Medicine’s annual meeting in Indianapolis.