For falls prevention in community-dwelling adults aged 65 or older at increased risk, which is the recommended activity?

For falls prevention in community-dwelling adults aged 65 or older at increased risk, which is the recommended activity?

• A. Vitamin D supplementation
• B. Home safety assessments
• C. Use of assistive devices
• D. Regular participation in an exercise program

Answer: (D)

Regular participation in a structured exercise program that focuses on balance and leg strength is the most effective way to reduce falls in community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older who are at increased risk. These multi-component programs—combining balance training, resistance work, and gait practice—improve stability, muscle strength, and confidence, which translates into fewer falls. The benefit tends to be larger than what is achieved by other single strategies. Vitamin D supplementation helps only if there is a deficiency and is not a stand-alone fall-prevention strategy for the general at-risk older population. Home safety assessments and the use of assistive devices are valuable parts of a comprehensive plan but don’t address the core physical risk factors as effectively as an ongoing balance-and-strength regimen.

Regular participation in a structured exercise program that focuses on balance and leg strength is the most effective way to reduce falls in community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older who are at increased risk. These multi-component programs—combining balance training, resistance work, and gait practice—improve stability, muscle strength, and confidence, which translates into fewer falls. The benefit tends to be larger than what is achieved by other single strategies.

Vitamin D supplementation helps only if there is a deficiency and is not a stand-alone fall-prevention strategy for the general at-risk older population. Home safety assessments and the use of assistive devices are valuable parts of a comprehensive plan but don’t address the core physical risk factors as effectively as an ongoing balance-and-strength regimen.