By Dr. Beth Hodges
What are the “fall screenings” CMS requests from providers? Here's how you can help with fall prevention among our elderly population.
A fall screening starts with a questionnaire that assesses a person’s risk of falling. It turns out that certain issues across the elderly population make falling more likely. These include issues like polypharmacy, the use of any anticholinergic medications, the presence of confusion, incontinence (as this causes people to try to rush to the bathroom), a history of dizziness or vertigo, a previous history of falling, and visual impairment.
In addition to the questionnaire, it is helpful for your staff to perform a TUG test. The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test monitors how easy it is for an individual to stand up from a seated position, walk 5 feet, turn around, walk back, and then sit back down. Greater than 20 seconds to perform the activity is concerning. The observer should also make note of any balance issues, stumbling, or gait abnormalities.
Someone with a high fall risk screening and/or an abnormal TUG test result will usually benefit from a referral to physical therapy for a gait and balance evaluation.
Dr. Beth Hodges is a family practice and palliative care/hospice physician in Asheboro, N.C., as well as a part-time medical director for HealthTeam Advantage.
