Sentara targets bone health, fall prevention for seniors

“A broken bone is a big deal,” read a mailing from Sentara Health Plans to Medicare members who have suffered a broken bone. “Don’t forget to tell your Primary Care Provider.”

The mailings have a two-fold purpose. One is to make sure primary care providers know what’s going on with their patients. The second is to encourage members to think about why they broke a bone, and how to prevent another one. 

“Ask your PCP these questions,” the mailing urged:

• Did weak bones cause my break? 

• Do I need to be tested for weak bones? 

• What is a Bone Mineral Density test? 

• What can I do to make my bones stronger?  

Osteoporosis, or loss of bone density, is common as we age. A painless bone mineral density scan can help determine if patients have weak or brittle bones. Preventing broken bones is paramount for seniors to live full, active lives with quality and independence.

Sentara Health Plans has a web page dedicated to fall prevention, which includes an online Fall Risk Assessment members can use to gauge their risk, and earn points. 

Falls are traumatic

The Level I trauma program at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital treated more than 1,400 patients for injuries from ‘ground level falls’ (GLFs) in 2024. More than 800 GLFs involved patients over 70 years old. In 2025, there have been 1,250 GLFs to date, and 764 involved patients over 70. Women account for just over half (53%) of GLFs. The most common injuries from GLFs are broken hips and ribs, and traumatic brain injuries.

Broken hips and brain injuries in seniors often mark the beginning of a decline to early death. Recovering from a hip replacement can be harder than it looks when you’re over 80. The most important thing seniors can do to avoid broken bones is to avoid falling. That’s where fall prevention programs can be life savers. 

SAFE program works to prevent falls with injuries

Sentara Therapy Centers offer physical, occupational, and speech therapy to help patients recover from medical events and manage chronic conditions. Preventing falls is paramount. Sentara addresses this with a program called SAFE. It’s an acronym for Sentara Awareness of Falls Education. Primary care providers can refer patients to SAFE, where physical therapists lead patients through exercises to build strength and balance. These exercises can be continued at home.  

Sentara Home Health Fall Risk Assessments

SAFE is a discretionary outpatient program, but Sentara Home Health and Sentara Hospice assess every patient admitted for fall risk, home safety, such as slippery area rugs and extension cords, and Activities of Daily Living, or ADLs. ADLs include walking (ambulation), bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and transitioning into and out of bed safely.

Individual care plans may include training family members to provide support and introducing specialized equipment for safe lifting and transfers from chairs to bed or the toilet. Therapists help patients get stronger and meet ADL requirements for living safely at home without assistance.

Sentara hospitals help avoid falls

“Call, Don’t Fall!” is on the white board in every Sentara hospital patient’s room. It’s a plea to pick up the call button for help in going to the bathroom or transitioning from the bed to a chair. Avoiding falls is a priority for patient safety and injury prevention. No one should get out of a hospital bed without help. 

Resources

For more information about bone health and osteoporosis, call Sentara Health Plans Member Outreach and Education at 1-833-771-1427 (TTY: 711). If you don’t have a primary care provider, they can help you find one.

For a SAFE fall prevention program near you, contact Sentara Central Registration at 855-852-9066. SAFE is available at Sentara Therapy Centers in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia.

Sentara Home Health & Hospice provides a variety of services including in-home nursing and therapy, hospice, home infusion, wound care, and hospice. Please call 757-553-3000 for more information.