American family physician
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Falls are a major public health problem, occurring in more than 27% of adults 65 years and older and costing the U. S. health care system tens of billions of dollars each year. The most common risk factors are prior falls, balance disorders, fear of falling, and dementia. ⋯ These components include evaluating environmental and home safety factors and optimizing care of chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, osteoporosis, pain, urinary urgency and incontinence, and depression. Polypharmacy and drugs that increase risk of falls should be avoided, when possible. Optimization of vision and hearing correction, podiatry care, and appropriate use of ambulation devices are also important.