A home-based fall prevention and wellness program has shown evidence of a 13% reduced risk of falls among seniors in a one-year period, while also reducing the occurrence of insurance claims, LifePlans Inc. announced Wednesday.

The U.S Department of Health and Human Services worked with LifePlans’ Living Independently and Falls-free Together Wellness Program on a multi-year research study on fall prevention. Beginning in 2004, elderly were assessed in their homes of physical, emotional and cognitive functioning, as well as falls history, home environment and medications. Based on the results, personal recommendations were made to help each person feel more comfortable and safe in their own home.

Those seniors who received the LIFT Wellness Program intervention had a 13% lower rate of falls compared to those who did not. Participants, who were all over age 75, also were 20% more likely to make fall-preventing adjustments in their homes. Additionally, long-term care insurance claims were 33% lower over a three-year period for those involved in the intervention. These results were published in the June 2015 issue of Health Affairs.  

The LIFT Wellness Program was implemented in 2003 and now has more than 10,000 participants.