Fall Prevention Among the Elderly – Mithu Tulsi Chanrai Campus, Bhubaneswar

Prevent Falls – Ensure Safety, Independence and Confidence

Why it matters?
Of the 250 million people visually impaired globally, 80% are aged 50 or older. Much of this vision loss is avoidable through spectacles and cataract surgery. In older adults, poor vision/vision loss may lead to falls resulting in fractures, leading to social isolation.

In India, an estimated 31% of older adults are affected by falls, often facing severe injuries, reduced mobility and loss of independence. According to the UN World Population Ageing Report, the share of the elderly in India is set to rise from 8% in 2021 to 20% by 2050, over 300 million individuals.

Institute for Elderly Eye Care at LVPEI

The Institute for Elderly Eye Care is a ‘Model Centre’  that tackles the gamut of vision-limiting ocular diseases that ensue with age and follow a holistic approach to aging. It places eye care at the center and as the first line of screening for other age-related health morbidities like frailty, falls, depression and dementia.

The elderly eye care centres across the network include – Gland Pharma Centre for Elderly Eye Care at the Kallam Anji Reddy campus, Hyderabad; Aurobindo Geriatric Eye Care Centre at the GMR Varalakshmi campus, Visakhapatnam;  ICICI Centre for Elderly Eye Care at the Mithu Tulsi Chanrai campus, Bhubaneswar; Naraindas Morbai Budhrani Centre for Elderly Eye Care at the RajaShekara Reddy campus, Kadapa and Smt K Suryanarayanamma & Dr K V Prasad centre for Elderly Eye Care at the Kode Venkatadri Chowdary campus, Vijayawada.

These centres offer comprehensive eye examinations, diagnostics, surgery, vision rehabilitation, physiotherapy, screening for systemic health conditions and counselling to prevent falls.

Moving beyond conventional vision care, LVPEI has set a national example by integrating holistic health assessments into routine eye care by aligning with the four principles, drawn from the four pillars of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing:

• Combating ageism: Challenges bias that marginalizes older people, offering activities that build trust, bonding and empowerment. Staff are companions as well as caregivers.
• Fostering age-friendly environments: Spaces within the institute are accessible and safe for seniors. The Fall Prevention Experience Centres showcase home modifications such as grab bars, railings, non-skid mats and proper lighting.
• Integrated care: Eye care is combined with systemic screening, following the WHO’s ICOPE (Integrated Care for older people) approach, to screen and assess cognition, mobility, nutrition, vision, hearing, and depression.  These screenings help identify early risks such as memory impairment, malnutrition, hearing loss, balance issues, or depression, facilitating timely referrals, and multidisciplinary support.
• Long-term care: Age-related eye conditions need continuing management, so support spans institutional eye care, low vision services, rehabilitation and non-institutional care through LVPEI@Home care services.

Several interactive activities are organized in the elderly care waiting lounges every day that include:

• Quizzes to test elderly patients and their care givers of safe and unsafe practices at home
• Simple chair exercises that help with building balance and ensure fall prevention (access to videos in English and Telugu)
• Awareness on safe footwear, avoid well-fitting, non-slip and loose slippers
• Awareness on washroom safety – need for grab bars, non-slip mats, adequate lighting and keeping frequently used items within easy reach

They are also invited to take the “My Healthy Ageing Promise,” with a promise a day:

• Stay Active: “I will exercise regularly to keep myself strong and steady.”
• Keep My Home Safe: “I will keep my home free from fall hazards.”
• Check My Vision: “I will have my eyes checked regularly and use my glasses as advised.”
• Take My Medicines Safely: “I will take my medicines as advised and discuss any concerns with my doctor.”
• Speak Up About Falls: “I will tell my family or healthcare team if I feel unsteady or have a fear of falling.”
• Stay Connected: “I will stay connected with my family and friends and ask for help when I need it.”

All fall-prevention information and checklists are available at https://www.lvpei.org/fall-prevention/

The International Day of Older Persons this year followed the official UN  theme for 2026, “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives.” The celebrations emphasize that older persons are valued contributors whose experience deserves recognition, social connection, and active aging. The day at LVPEI Centres for Elderly Eye care featured:

• Welcome and celebration: Elderly patients were greeted with flowers, refreshments and a cake-cutting was organized, with a welcome message from the Elderly Eye Care team.
• “Celebrating Our Elders”: a photobooth and memory wall, “A Moment I Cherish,” where older persons shared a story, achievement, hobby or life lesson, alongside photographs from earlier elderly activities.
• Interactive games: memory games, identify-the-object and music with ball, with small prizes for participation.
• Healthy ageing awareness: short sessions on eye health and regular eye check-ups, and on nutrition and hydration.
• Exhibition: a display of previous years’ elderly activities.
• Music and dance: the Institute’s young team encouraged elderly patients and families to join in.
• Wisdom Wall: older persons’ left messages on sticky notes for the notice board.
• Recognition: “Elder of the Day” and “Inspiring Elder” awards, based on participation or contribution rather than age, with small prizes.

“Changes in vision can affect how older adults judge steps, navigate unfamiliar spaces and move about safely. Vision problems in old age are treatable and help reduce risk of falls. Make eye care a first step in the broader assessment of mobility, balance and overall health. This ensures older people stay safer, more independent and confident in their daily lives. Fall prevention is a shared effort involving older adults, families and care teams. Do not consider falls as an inevitable part of aging.” Says Dr Umesh Chandra Behera, consultant ophthalmologist ate Campus Head at the Mithu Tulsi Chanrai campus, Bhubaneswar.

About LVPEI: Established in 1987, with the vision, to create excellent and equitable eye care systems that reach all those in need,’ the L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), a comprehensive eye health facility, is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for the Prevention of Blindness.    

In pursuance of this vision, LVPEI clinician scientists work at the cutting edge of eye research. Through its five-tier ‘Eye Health Pyramid’ and cross-subsidy models, LVPEI provides more than 50% of its services entirely at no cost to the patient, irrespective of the complexity of care needed. LVPEI is among the world’s top eye researchers with over 5,000 published scientific papers in prominent international journals.     

Contact: Aneetha Kanukolanu,
Associate Director- Network Communications   
Phone: +91 40 6810 2272  
Email: aneetha.kanukolanu@lvpei.org  
Website: www.lvpei.org