The number of home-dwelling seniors aged 65 and over taking a fall risk test has increased. This test estimates the chance of falling. In 2024, at least 50,000 tests were conducted. However, this still falls short of the target of 14 percent of all home-dwelling elderly (over 500,000). Especially seniors with a high risk of falling and underlying conditions are tested less often. This emerges from new RIVM research on the so-called Chain Approach to Fall Prevention.
The number of fall risk tests conducted is underestimated because not all tests are registered. Municipalities have partial insight into the number of fall risk tests. Currently, 76 percent of municipalities indicate they use the fall risk test. From healthcare providers, there is almost no insight into the number of fall risk tests conducted. Furthermore, screening (fall risk assessment), intended for people with the highest fall risk, is still rarely performed. Cooperation agreements on this part of the chain approach are often missing. Additionally, it is unknown how many seniors continue to exercise and stay active after a course.
Municipalities Make Progress
Almost all municipalities are working on implementing the Chain Approach to Fall Prevention. Compared to last year, the number of seniors identified by municipalities and participating in a fall course has increased. Moreover, more agreements are being made between municipalities, health insurers, and healthcare professionals about fall prevention.
Areas for Improvement
However, the group at highest risk is still reached less. Healthcare providers such as general practitioners, home care, hospitals, and pharmacists could play a more active role here. Currently, there is sometimes a lack of knowledge about the chain approach to detect fall risk and refer to the right place. More efforts can also be made to better reach vulnerable groups (such as seniors with low income or seniors in social isolation). Some municipalities are already working on this. Furthermore, there is a need for better registration of detection and to what extent seniors continue to exercise regularly after a fall course.
Agreements Difficult to Implement
Overall, the RIVM concludes that cooperation between health insurers, healthcare providers, municipalities, and sports organizations has improved. More agreements are being made. At the same time, these prove difficult to implement in practice. For example, because the parties work in different ways or do not speak each others language.
About the Research
The RIVM annually maps the progress and results of the Chain Approach to Fall Prevention. This third report covers 2024 and the first quarter of 2025. The Chain Approach to Fall Prevention consists of four steps: identifying which seniors have a high chance of falling, investigating which factors increase the chance of falling, participation of seniors in a fall course, and continuing to exercise and stay active. On the website the most current figures on fall prevention (external link) can be found.
The RIVM conducts this research on behalf of the Ministry of VWS Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport).
