Fall Injuries in Elderly

Disabled-World.com reports that The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is urging elderly adults who use canes and walkers as walking aids to be properly assessed and fitted by a physical therapist to avoid fall-related injuries.  According to the posting, this advice comes in response to a June 2009 study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, which found that 47,000 senior citizens end up in emergency rooms each year due to falls from improper use and fit of walkers and canes.  The posting at http://www.disabled-world.com/assistivedevices/mobility/walking/fit-walkers-canes.php states that the study, conducted by government researchers, examined six years of emergency room records and found that the walker was associated seven times more with injury related falls than was the cane.  As such, physical therapists advise that these results indicate a strong need for proper fit and assessment.  General tips provided by an APTA member for those using walkers and canes as walking or mobility aids include, for example: (1) The walker or cane should be about the height of your wrists when your arms are at your sides; (2) When using a walker, your arms should be slightly bent when holding on, but you shouldn’t have to bend forward at the waist to reach it; and, (3) Periodically check the rubber tips at the bottom of the cane or walker, being sure to replace them if they are uneven or worn through.

In this regard, the posting offers the website www.moveforwardpt.com as a resource for finding a physical therapist.  For its own part, the APTA represents more than 72,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy nationwide.

Whether mobility aid fall injuries among the elderly or senior citizens occur in Texas or elsewhere, victims may also contact an attorney to evaluate whether the fall injury may have resulted from product defects, improper or inadequate instructions or negligence in the design, manufature and sale of the mobility device.