Fall Prevention
Patient Education
Same-level falls are the number 1 cause of injury seen at OHSU Trauma Center, and the leading cause of death and injury for Americans over the age of 65. Fall prevention education is a priority for the OHSU Trauma Center to reduce injuries and improve quality of life. We offer several programs to support this goal.
Read about Falls Prevention Awareness Week for Professionals.
Recovery From a Traumatic Injury
As you recover from a traumatic injury, it’s important to understand the changes you may need to make in your daily life.
Our team can help you:
- Choose a cane, walker, bath seat and other medical equipment to lower your chances of a fall.
- Learn exercises that help you prevent falls, change positions or stand up quickly without getting dizzy.
- Navigate busy streets safely when using a walker or cane.
Our team has developed an educational video series to help with fall prevention.
Home Modifications to Prevent Falling
This video describes how to reduce the fall risk at home by modifying the space, how proper footwear can reduce fall risk at home and how lighting can reduce fall risks.
Exercises to Prevent Falling
This video describes exercises that can be done to prevent falling by strengthening muscles in the legs and improve balance.
Standing Up Safely
This video describes how to change positions or stand to avoid falling.
How to Conserve Energy
This video describes how to prioritizing tasks can help to conserve energy and tips to conserve energy to avoid falls.
Safety Precautions to Prevent Falls in the Bathroom
This video reviews adaptive equipment for the bathroom to prevent falls.
How to Get up from a Fall
This video describes how to use your body and furniture or stairs to get up from the floor after falling.
Assistive Devices for Walking
This video describes types of equipment to aide in walking, how to fit different equipment to your height, and how to use the different types of equipment.
Pedestrian Safety
This video describes how to safely use assistive devices when walking out doors and provides safety demonstration for how to cross at a pedestrian controlled light.
Contact us
Our team is happy to connect you with resources and information about our injury prevention programs.
You can reach us at trauma@ohsu.edu
National Fall Prevention Resources:
- STEADI: Older Adult Fall Prevention, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- STEADI Provider Training, CDC
- Prevent Falls and Fractures, National Institutes of Health
- Fall-Proofing Your Home, National Institute on Aging
- Falls Prevention for Older Adults, Oregon Health Authority
- Prevenga las caídas y fracturas (fall prevention resources in Spanish), National Institute on Aging
- Exercising with Chronic Conditions, National Institute on Aging
- Get Fit For Life: Exercise and Physical Activity for Healthy Aging, National Institute on Aging
Falls Prevention Resources
STATEWIDE: Oregon Wellness Network Falls Prevention and Exercise Programs
While aging is inevitable, falling is not. Many adults can benefit from learning low-impact exercise to improve balance and strategies to increase confidence and reduce their fear of falling. OWN delivers evidence-based classes that have been proven to help older adults reduce their risk of falling. Some are provided in group settings, and some are offered one-on-one in their home. Service area includes counties in Oregon, click Learn More to find a program near you.
STATEWIDE: Aging-in-place in Oregon: Mobility and Home Safety Resources OHSU Undergraduate Research
This September 2024 publication includes Home Safety Resources: Maintenance, repair, and modification services to enhance safety and mobility in the home. Statewide services and programs listed, with a focus on Portland and surrounding areas. This document is free for use and distribution courtesy of OHSU Fall Prevention Research. For questions, suggestions, or to request use of this resource contact: Isabel Puleo-Young puleoyou@ohsu.edu
STATEWIDE: Oregon Care Partners Strategies to Prevent and Reduce Falls Educational Workshops
Oregon Care Partners is a free, high-quality evidence-based education resource including virtual and in-person classes. Topics are wide-ranging, supporting caregivers, professionals, and first responders; and include Strategies to Prevent and Reduce Falls. Thanks to funding from the State, Oregon Care Partners services are available to anyone living or working in Oregon.
REGIONAL: Council on Aging of Central Oregon Health Education Classes
The Council on Aging supports all Central Oregonians to age well wherever and however they choose. We empower, advocate for, and provide services to older community members and their loved ones. Classes encourage healthy lifestyle activities and enable older adults to live with greater quality of life. Link includes in-person and virtual classes. Service area includes Bend, Sisters, La Pine, Redmond, Prineville, Madras.