The Cost Effectiveness of Fall Prevention Rehab

Each year, roughly 30,000 Americans lose their lives due to fall-related injuries, and many more experience non-fatal injuries that significantly affect quality of life. In addition to the human toll, falls also represent a major financial burden on healthcare systems and families alike.

Fortunately, strengthening and balance training have long been recognized as effective strategies to help reduce fall risk among older adults. Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted an economic evaluation that further highlighted the value of fall-prevention rehabilitation programs. Their study analyzed a two-month program for community-dwelling adults that combined therapist-led exercises for strength and balance retraining with a home walking plan.

At one year, participants experienced a 35% reduction in falls. When costs were reviewed from an insurer’s perspective, the program achieved a 36% return on investment (ROI) by avoiding other direct medical expenses. Among patients aged 80 and older, the ROI increased to 127%, demonstrating how preventive rehabilitation can deliver both clinical and economic benefits for the aging population.

At South Texas Sports Medicine, fall-prevention programs may incorporate:

• Gait and balance training
• Vestibular rehabilitation
• Strength and flexibility programs
• Posture and core stability training
• Transfer training and fall-recovery techniques
• Home safety and adaptive-equipment consultation

With multiple locations across the Coastal Bend, our team has been serving South Texas for more than four decades — helping patients improve mobility, independence, and safety through evidence-based physical therapy.

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Clinic Locations

Corpus Christi
5530 Lipes Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78413
Phone: (361) 993-9494
Fax: (361) 687-2464

Portland
203 Cedar Drive, Portland, TX 78374
Phone: (361) 643-3993
Fax: (361) 687-2465

Rockport / Fulton
1007 FM 3036, Fulton, TX 78358
Phone: (361) 729-8668
Fax: (800) 920-4110

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References

1. Burns E, Kakara R. Deaths from Falls Among Persons Aged ≥65 Years — United States, 2007–2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018; 67: 509–514. DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6718a1
2. Sumaiyah M et al. Physical therapies for improving balance and reducing fall risk in osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review. Age Ageing. 2015; 44 (1): 16–24.
3. Michael Y et al. Primary care–relevant interventions to prevent falling in older adults: a systematic evidence review. Ann Intern Med. 2010; 153: 815–825.
4. Karinkanta S et al. Physical therapy approaches to reduce fall and fracture risk among older adults. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2010; 6: 396–407.
5. Carande-Kulis V et al. A cost–benefit analysis of three older-adult fall-prevention interventions. J Safety Res. 2015; 52: 65–70.

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