Each year millions of seniors fall, and one in five falls causes a serious injury.1 Many falls don’t result in injury, but some seniors are still afraid of falling. More than 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury. In fact, more than 95 percent of hip fractures are caused by falling, usually sideways.1
Falling typically happens because of several risk factors, including:1
SilverSneakers® fitness program
The SilverSneakers fitness program is a health and fitness program designed for seniors. The program is available to Independence Medicare Advantage members at no extra cost and gives members the opportunity to connect with their community, make friends, and stay active. SilverSneakers includes membership to thousands of participating locations, group exercise classes designed for all abilities, and fun activities held outside the gym.*†
Participating locations may have strength training equipment designed to help build muscle for greater stability and flexibility.* Patients who are more comfortable at home can exercise with SilverSneakers On-DemandTM workout videos in their own living room. Some classes may help them gain the confidence to go into a participating location.
Getting started
Encourage your Independence Medicare Advantage patients to take advantage of all SilverSneakers has to offer. Getting started is quick and easy. Your patients can visit
SilverSneakers.com or call1-888-423-4632![]( "Call: 1-888-423-4632")
(TTY:
711) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, to get their ID number and find the nearest convenient location. They can also download the SilverSneakers GOTM fitness app for adjustable workout programs tailored to individual fitness levels.
- lower body weakness
- Vitamin D deficiency
- difficulties with walking and balance
- certain medicines
| - vision problems
- foot pain or poor footwear
- broken or uneven steps
- throw rugs
|
Fall prevention plan
The more risk factors a patient has, the greater the risk of falling. Review the risk factors above with your patients at each visit, as well as the following strategies to help prevent falls:2
- Discuss the potential risk factors.
- Ask them about any medications they are taking.
- Ask about any falls they may have had already.
- Discuss any health conditions that may increase their risk for falling.
- Be sure to keep an open dialogue with your patients. You want them to feel comfortable talking to you about fall prevention.
- Talk about sensible footwear options.
- Encourage them to remove tripping hazards around their home, such as:
- boxes, newspapers, and electrical cords from walkways
- furniture out of high-traffic areas
- loose rugs, floorboards, or carpeting
- Make safety changes around the house.
- Store commonly-used items within easy reach.
- Clean up spills to prevent slipping.
- Use nonslip mats in the bathtub or shower. If necessary, encourage the use of a shower seat.
- Use lights around the house.
- Suggest a walker or cane, if necessary.
- Encourage exercise.
- Physical activity helps increase balance, flexibility, muscle strength, and gait. The
SilverSneakers fitness program offers exercise classes that could be beneficial for your Independence Medicare Advantage patients.
*Participating locations (“PL”) are not owned or operated by Tivity Health, Inc. or its affiliates. Use of PL facilities and amenities are limited to terms and conditions of PL basic membership. Facilities and amenities vary by PL.
†Membership includes SilverSneakers instructor-led group fitness classes. Some locations offer members additional classes. Classes vary by location.
SilverSneakers is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc., an independent company. SilverSneakers On-Demand and SilverSneakers GO are trademarks of Tivity Health, Inc. © 2019 Tivity Health, Inc. All rights reserved.