Fall Prevention
Your plan has resources and benefits available to help prevent falls.
Fall prevention
Did you know that more than 1 out of every 4 people over age 65 will experience a fall each year? The risk of falling increases as we age, and at Priority Health we aim to help our members with fall prevention and with recovery after a fall. Each of our plans include benefits that are key when it comes to preventing falls.
Hearing Services Provided by TruHearing
Leaving hearing loss untreated can increase the risk of dementia and depression by 50% and it increases the risk of falling by 70-80%. Hearing impairment is associated with less physical function, reduced walking endurance, and can cause your physical function to decline faster over time.
Wearing hearing aids regularly has been shown to reduce the risk of injury from falls. A 2013 study found that people with hearing loss who wear hearing aids are at a 1.4x lower risk of being injured in a fall—which makes wearing your hearing aids regularly an even more attractive suggestion.
All Medicare plans include a routine hearing exam for $0 and an additional hearing aid benefit. To learn more about your hearing aid benefit please check your Evidence of Coverage or contact TruHearing at 833.898.1313.
Vision Services Provided by EyeMed
All Priority Health Medicare Advantage members receive a $0 annual vision exam as well as an annual allowance to use for eyewear.
Fitness and Wellness Services Provided by SilverSneakers
SilverSneakers provides $0 access to any participating fitness facilities for all Priority Health Medicare members. Additionally, they offer a fall prevention program to members at no cost. This program can be done in-person or virtually, is between 30-45 minutes long and focuses on movement, balance and flexibility.
Exercises for your Brain Through BrainHQ
BrainHQ visual exercises target the brain’s visual spatial system, which is critical to balance. Have you noticed the impact that closing your eyes while standing on one foot can affect your balance? Or how focusing your gaze on the horizon can help with sea sickness? BrainHQ visual exercises improve visual spatial processing (e.g., visual speed, attention, acuity, and useful field of view) and additional BrainHQ training can improve cognitive abilities (e.g., visual attention, speed, and executive function) that are critical to the adjustments our brain is constantly making to direct the body.
In-Home Safety Assessments
If you don’t qualify for an in-home safety assessment under the original Medicare home health benefit, all Priority Health Medicare members have the option to schedule an in-home assessment to be performed by a health care provider. The assessment will focus on both medical and behavioral hazards, such as your risk for falls or injuries and how to prevent them as well as identify and/or modify home hazards throughout your home.
If you’d like to schedule an assessment, please ask your primary care provider for a referral.
Physical and Occupational Therapy
All Priority Health Medicare Advantage members have both physical and occupational therapy benefits. To learn your copay for these appointments, please check your Evidence of Coverage or call customer service at 888.389.6648.
Physical therapists provide a fall screening which includes:
- Medical history review
- Medication review
- Vision test
- Home safety assessment
- Footwear check
- Balance, strength, and walking ability
They also provide balance training to members who need it.
Occupational therapists will make recommendations to reduce falls by assessing your Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), the furniture in your home, lighting, etc. They will then recommend rails or easy changes that can be made to better accommodate you.
Occupational therapists also ensure you can safely bend to grab items, clean the house, etc.
If you’d like to connect with a physical or occupational therapist, talk with your primary care provider about a referral or getting started.
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