A simple exercise prompt at the doctor’s office led to fewer falls in older adults
☕ Includes a question for the family ↓
FallsPart of a story we are following · 4 articles · See every update
Here is good news if you want to stay steady on your feet. When doctors got a prompt in their computer to recommend exercise, their older patients had fewer falls. That means the strength and balance moves you may already know, like standing up from a chair, are backed by a large real-world trial.
The prompt worked in everyday doctor’s offices, during ordinary visits. Exercise did the heavy lifting, and the tool made sure more patients heard about it.
How the study worked
Researchers tested a tool called eSTEPS in 22 primary care practices in a US health system. Practices were paired up, and then one in each pair was picked by chance to use the tool. It appeared in the electronic health record when a patient aged 65 or older screened positive for fall risk. It offered tailored exercise recommendations, an optional physical therapy referral, and handouts, a website and an app for the patient. A large group of older adults was followed for 12 to 23 months, and the results were published Oct. 1, 2026, in JAMA Network Open. Falls were counted from medical record codes, so they reflect falls that reached the health system.
What they found
Fewer older adults fell at the practices that used the tool. For every 100 patients followed for a year, about 19 had a fall at those practices, compared with about 21 at practices without it. The exact figures were 19.3 and 21.2.
Fall injuries went down too.
| Per 100 patients followed for a year | Practices with eSTEPS | Practices without |
|---|---|---|
| Had one or more falls | 19.3 | 21.2 |
| Had a fall-related injury | 15.7 | 16.7 |
Deaths were about the same in both groups.
Many doctors took up the tool. In the eSTEPS practices, 77.05% of clinicians used it at least once to deliver the exercise program. Exercise prescriptions were issued for 22.1% of the patients at those practices.
Why a prompt in the doctor’s computer helps
We know exercise that builds strength and balance helps prevent falls. The hard part is that busy primary care visits cover a lot, and exercise can slip down the list. A prompt that shows up at the right moment makes it easier for the doctor to bring it up and hand you something useful to take home.
This is also an approach that can spread. Once a tool like this is built into a health record system, it can reach many practices as part of the normal visit.
What you can do today
You do not have to wait for a prompt on your doctor’s screen. Try the sit-to-stand, one of the simplest strength and balance moves.
Sit in a sturdy chair and put your feet flat on the floor. Stand up, then sit back down slowly. Do it five times, without using your hands if you can. Do it next to a kitchen counter so you have something to hold if you need it. Notice how it feels today, and try it again next week to see how you are progressing.
Talk about it at home
Older adults at doctor’s offices where the computer reminded the doctor about exercise fell less often than at offices without the reminder. Exercises that make legs strong and balance good help people stay up on their feet. A reminder is like a sticky note that helps a busy person remember something important.
Try it at home
Here is a question for the table: how could we find out whether practicing standing up from a chair makes it easier over a few weeks? Try it at home, count how many times each person can stand up in the same amount of time, and check again in a week.
Keep exploring
Copies this article and its questions so you can paste them into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or the AI you use, and keep the conversation going.
Questions and answers
- What is eSTEPS?
- It is a tool built into the electronic health record. It suggests tailored exercise, an optional physical therapy referral and patient materials to older adults at risk of falling.
- How much did it reduce falls?
- For every 100 patients followed for a year, 19.3 had a fall at eSTEPS practices, compared with 21.2 at practices without it.
- Did it reduce fall injuries too?
- Yes. Fall-related injuries were 15.7 per 100 patients followed for a year at eSTEPS practices, compared with 16.7 without it.
- What exercise can I start with?
- Sit-to-stands are an easy start. Stand up from a sturdy chair and sit back down slowly, near a counter for support. Ask your doctor about a balance and strength program or physical therapy.
