About 69 million Americans over age 40 have some form of inner ear dysfunction that causes dizziness and makes them up to 12 times more likely to have a serious fall, says a HealthDay article based on a new survey by Johns Hopkins researchers.  More than 22 million of those people are unaware of their…

New APTA-endorsed guidelines aimed at preventing falls in older adults recommend a multi-factorial fall risk assessment for all older adults who have had a fall, have been identified as having gait and balance problems, or report difficulties with gait or balance. The guidelines, released by the American Geriatrics Society and the British Geriatrics Society, include…

Primary care-relevant interventions that include physical therapy can reduce falling among community-dwelling older adults, say authors of a systematic review published in the December 20, 2010, issue (Vol 153 No 12) of Annals of Internal Medicine. The reviewers evaluated research published in 2003 and researched databases from the end of that review’s search date to…

An analysis of 9 studies with more than 34,000 participants aged 65 and older suggests that gait speed may be an indicator of health of an older person. Published in JAMA and highlighted in USA Today, the study’s authors, which include APTA member Jennifer Brach, PT, PhD, GCS, say that “gait speed, age, and sex…

As you age, the risk of hip fracture grows more prevalent. Swedish researchers have found a simple way to estimate the risk of hip fracture in older adults; ask them if they have impaired balance. “It maybe can be regarded as a self-evident result,” Dr. Karl Michaelsson of University Hospital in Uppsala, one of the…

Vertigo As we get older we can add one more health issue to our list. Vertigo is a sudden sensation that you are unsteady or that your surroundings are moving. Health & Fitness: Vertigo is mysterious case for seniors ——————————————————————————– By DIANA ROSSETTI GateHouse News Service Posted Sep 30, 2008 @ 12:00 AM Printed in…