When does a simple slip of the foot mean something more serious? When does thinking you’re “just klutzy” stop being an answer and start to raise serious concerns? Medical professionals are finding more and more that these occurrences are more often an indicator of a more complicated issue. With that realization, specialists are championing a shift from providing strictly reactive treatment to facilitating more proactive care. At Parkview Health, Fen Lei Chang, MD, PPG – Neurology, is leading the charge.

Falls remain a major cause of traumatic brain injury and fractures of bones and hips. Severe or frequent falls can also contribute to the loss of independence. In light of these risks, avoiding any behaviors, habits, and hazards that lead to trips and slips can help begin fall prevention.

“We all like to downplay things and think it’s nothing major, but an increased number of falls leads to a higher risk for severe injury and loss of independence as a result of injury,” Dr. Chang said. “It’s nothing to feel embarrassed about; many of us face the same thing. At the clinic, we feel that one fall is one fall too many. We are here to better understand the causes of falls so we can prevent them.”

Parkview’s Fall Prevention Clinic provides assessments for anyone noticing a change in balance or tendency to fall and provides the collaborative expertise of multiple specialists. The unique, multidisciplinary approach provides an opportunity for individualized, comprehensive fall prevention, including therapies, exercises, home assessments, a medication review, and neurological/medical evaluation. “Often we find that patients who experience frequent falls are living with an undiagnosed neurological condition,” said Dr. Chang. “These patients receive a plan of care tailored to their specific needs and challenges, as well as an explanation about why they’re falling.”

Where to turn for help

If you have recently fallen or worry about falling, please speak with your primary care provider to see if a referral to the Fall Prevention Clinic, located at Parkview Regional Medical Center, is appropriate for you. For more information, call 260-425-6780 or visit the Fall Prevention Clinic page.