Home visits and surveillance to assess and where appropriate, modify environmental and personal risk factors can be effective in reducing falls. This can be carried out by nurses, health visitors, occupational therapists or trained volunteers. Soft hip protector pads have been shown to dramatically reduce hip fractures in frail older people in residential care. Their effect and acceptability in the community needs further research. High dose Vitamin D supplementation with or without calcium appears to be effective in reducing fractures.
Research is needed to identify the most cost-effective strategy.
Evidence Based Medicine.