APMA News - July/August 2023 - 14

Podiatrists Unite for Falls Prevention:
Best Practices to Safeguard Patient Mobility
Promoting Stability and Independence through Expert Podiatric Care
In an eff ort to prioritize patient safety and improve
overall well-being, APMA invites members to
participate in Falls Prevention Awareness Week
this September, when health-care professionals
come together to emphasize falls prevention as
an integral part of their practice. With a focus on
safeguarding patient mobility, podiatrists are the
premier dedicated foot and ankle specialists. Take
this opportunity to educate your patients and the
larger health-care community about best practices
to reduce the risk of falls and enhance patients'
quality of life.
Check out the resources on the National
Council on Aging website, www.ncoa.org, to raise
awareness in your community around falls health
and injury prevention.
Falls among seniors and individuals with foot
and ankle conditions pose signifi cant health
risks and can lead to severe injuries, diminished
independence, and reduced quality of life.
Recognizing the importance of a multidisciplinary
approach, podiatrists are collaborating with
other health-care professionals, including geriatric
specialists, to develop comprehensive falls
prevention strategies.
" We're reaching out to diff erent stakeholders to
build relationships and connections so that when
other organizations and medical specialties talk
about falls prevention, they talk about podiatry, "
said APMA Podiatric Population Health Committee
Chair Chia-Ding Shih, DPM, MPH.
Best practices include:
Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Examinations:
Podiatrists conduct thorough evaluations to identify
potential risk factors such as foot deformities,
gait abnormalities, balance issues, and improper
footwear. These assessments allow for personalized
interventions and treatment plans.
Footwear Assessment and Recommendations:
Podiatrists off er expert advice on appropriate footwear,
considering factors such as stability, support,
and proper fi t. They educate patients on selecting
shoes that provide optimal traction and cushioning
to reduce the risk of slips and falls.
Foot and Ankle Strengthening Exercises:
Podiatrists prescribe targeted exercises that
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JULY/AUGUST 2023
enhance strength, fl exibility, and balance in the
lower extremities. These exercises improve stability
and reduce the likelihood of falls.
Orthotics and Assistive Devices: Custom
orthotics, ankle braces, and other assistive devices
can help correct biomechanical imbalances, improve
gait patterns, and provide additional support
during walking, thus reducing fall risks.
Patient Education: Podiatrists actively engage
patients in education and awareness programs,
emphasizing the importance of maintaining foot
health, using proper footwear, and adopting safe
ambulation practices.
By integrating falls prevention into their practices,
podiatrists are taking proactive measures
to safeguard patient well-being. Your expertise,
combined with collaborative eff orts across healthcare
disciplines, ensures a holistic approach to falls
prevention that addresses the specifi c needs of
individuals with foot and ankle conditions.
" I'm hoping that now that we have identifi ed the
risk for falls and are screening for risk factors, we
as physicians will take into consideration a patient's
environment and the level of support they
receive at home, " said Dr. Shih. " If we are cognizant
of those things, we can fi nd resources to help
those patients. "
For more information about falls
prevention and expert podiatric care, visit
www.apma.org/fallsprevention.
http://www.ncoa.org http://www.apma.org/fallsprevention
APMA News - July/August 2023

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