Practices of Physiotherapists on the Risk of Falls and Prevention in Clients Aged 65 and Older: Online Survey Results

Abstract

Purpose: Physiotherapists frequently interact with older adults. We aimed to determine the physiotherapists’ practices for fall risk and prevention in clients at 65 years and older. 
 Material and Methods: 72 physiotherapists responded to online survey including questions about demographic and professional characteristics, the awareness and practices of physiotherapists on falling and preventing falls. 
 Results: 91.7% of physiotherapists reported that fall risk should be determined in all clients at 65 years and older. 30.6% of them stated that they evaluated the risk of falling in case of necessity, 83.3% stated that they did not use a standard assessment-treatment flow chart for risk of falling. In elderly clients with low or no risk of falling, 8.1% of physiotherapists; In elderly clients with high risk of falling 83.3% of physiotherapist applied a preventive physiotherapy approach to prevent falls. 67.9% of physiotherapists provide training and advice on fall prevention to elderly clients with low or no fall risk; 73.5% prefer assistive device reclamation in elderly clients with a high risk of falling.
 Conclusion: Interventions should be planned to improve fall risk awareness and practices among physiotherapists by following a standard assessment-treatment flow chart for their clients 65 years and older.