Fall prevention in older adults: A primary care-based narrative review.

Abstract

Falls are a major cause of morbidity, disability, and mortality among older adults and represent one of the most common preventable geriatric syndromes encountered in primary care. With ageing populations worldwide, fall-related injuries impose a growing burden on individuals, families, and healthcare systems. To review evidence-based strategies for fall prevention in older adults, with emphasis on risk assessment, multifactorial interventions, and the role of primary care physicians. This narrative review integrates evidence from international clinical guidelines and peer-reviewed literature on fall risk assessment and prevention in older adults, focusing on interventions applicable in routine primary care settings. Falls in older adults are multifactorial, resulting from interactions between intrinsic factors, such as frailty, balance impairment, chronic disease, and polypharmacy, as well as extrinsic environmental hazards. Effective prevention strategies include routine fall risk screening, medication review, strength and balance training, vision assessment, home safety modification, and patient education. Primary care-led multifactorial interventions have demonstrated significant reductions in fall incidence and fall-related injuries. Falls among older adults are largely preventable. Integrating systematic fall risk assessment and evidence-based preventive strategies into routine primary care practice can substantially improve patient safety, preserve functional independence, and enhance quality of life.