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 elderly clients. We aimed to determine the physiotherapists' practices for fall risk and prevention in clients at 65 years and older. Material and Methods: Seventy-two physiotherapists responded to online survey including questions about demographic and professional characteristics, the awareness and practices of physiotherapists on falling and preventing falls. Results: Ninety-one point seven percent of physiotherapists reported that fall risk should be determined in all clients at 65 years and older. Thirty point six percent 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. The rate of physiotherapists who provide education and advice on fall prevention to elderly clients with low or no fall risk is 67.9%, while 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.