MEDizzy - 79 year old man who lives in his own home presents with

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Ageing and disease

79 year old man who lives in his own home presents with several recent falls, all of which have taken place whilst walking in town. Witnesses report no loss of consciousness. He takes thyroxine and paracetamol but no other medications. Which of the following interventions is most likely to reduce his risk of falls?

ExplanationHis falls do not occur at home: thus, home modification is unlikely to help in this case. Calcium and vitamin D is effective only in patients in institutional care, who are those with the lowest vitamin D levels. Hip protectors do not reduce falls, and current evidence suggests that they do not reduce fractures either. A pacemaker would help only if cardioinhibitory carotid sinus hypersensitivity was demonstrated.