Falls: Best Approaches for Those in Community, Long-Term Care

​For older adults in care facilities, limited evidence exists to support any one falls intervention; instead, interventions targeting multiple risk factors may be effective, according to a Cochrane review updated December 12, 2012. The review examined 60 trials with a total of 60,345 participants. In long-term care facilities, the review noted the benefits of vitamin D prescription in residents with low baseline levels and some positive effects of exercise programs, though these effects were also limited. The review notes that exercise is likelier to benefit less frail residents, while putting residents who are frailer at increased risk of falling. Physical therapy was found to be beneficial in hospital-based rehabilitation programs.