Age-related loss of muscle mass (known as sarcopenia), problems with balance and gait, and blood pressure that drops too much when you get up from lying down or sitting (called postural hypotension) are all risk factors for
The combined effects of loss of muscle, bone density, flexibility, and sensory and cognitive function pose a significant threat of falling for older adults. Specifically, the loss of balance due to a trip or slip can often be recovered by quick corrective actions that require fast and powerful muscle responses.
Most injuries in the elderly are the result of falls; fractures of the hip, forearm, humerus, and pelvis usually result from the combined effect of falls and osteoporosis.
Impaired vision: Glaucoma, cataracts, visual acuity, the field of vision, and contrast sensitivity lead to an increased risk of falls. Foot issues: General pain when walking, calluses, long toe deformities, ulcers, and nail deformities increase balance difficulty and risk of falling.
The five P's of fall prevention can help deliver optimal, safe, and superior patient care. The five P's of fall prevention are used to help determine if a patient is susceptible to falls and ensure that the patient is safe from falls. They are: Pain, Potty, Periphery, Position & Pump.
The combination of TUG test, gait speed and Mini-BESTest provided the best approach. If all three tests are positive, there is an 89% chance of identifying an older person at risk of falling.
Age. Age is one of the key risk factors for falls. Older people have the highest risk of death or serious injury arising from a fall and the risk increases with age.
A clinical examination, addressing potential home hazards, medications, cognitive and visual impairment, functional limitations, orthostatic hypotension, and gait and balance abnormalities, can be used to identify risk factors for falls. Various factors can increase a person's risk of falling (Table 1).
fits/seizures/twitching/convulsions. blurred or double vision. poor coordination or clumsiness. any new arm or leg weakness, or any existing weakness that gets worse or does not improve.
Heart disease is the top cause of death for senior citizens in 94% of states. Hover over a state to see the average annual death rate per 100,000 people for the leading cause of death.
Aim for three healthy meals a day that provide fruit, vegetables, protein, good fats, whole grainsand low-fat dairy products. In one study, people who followed this approach (also known as the Mediterranean diet) faithfully were 74 percent less likely to become frail. Be sure to include enough muscle-nurturing protein.
If the feeling happens often, it could be a sign of a balance problem. Many older adults experience problems with balance and dizziness. Problems can be caused by certain medications, balance disorders, or other medical conditions. Balance problems are one reason older people fall.
Traditionally, the “elderly” are considered to be those persons age 65 and older. By that definition, in 1987 there were just over 30 million elderly people in the United States, more than 12 percent of the total U.S. population of nearly 252 million (Table 3.1).
The most common locations for a fall at home were the bedroom, bathroom, and stairs. Conclusion. The majority of falls resulting in ED visits among older adults occurred indoors and varied by sex and age. Knowing common locations of injurious falls can help older adults and caregivers prioritize home modifications.
Mortality rates in fallers and non-fallers
Those who had reported >1 fall in the last 3 months had an average mortality of 16.4% in the next year (40.5% mortality over 3 years) compared with 8.5% (25.7% over 3 years) for non-fallers. The highest mortality was confined to those aged over 85 years (both genders).
The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was developed in 1989 by Kathy Berg and is a reliable clinical tool for assessment of functional mobility and gait—especially in ambulatory older adults. The BBS consists of 14 static and dynamic tasks scored from 0 to 56, which assess a variety of functional activities.
Recurrent elderly falls can be a sign of declining physical strength, balance issues, or other health-related concerns that require professional attention. In-home care can provide support and timely medical intervention for your elderly loved one. A vetted and trained caregiver can provide the proper in-home care.
Drugs which cause sedation (drowsiness/sleepiness) Nitrazepam, Diazepam, Temazepam, Amitriptyline, Dosulepin, Chlorpromazine, Phenobarbital,Chlorpheniramine, Hydroxyzine Sedation is one of the most common causes of drug induced falls.
Falls Prevention Strategies
The 4P's stand for: Pain, Position, Placement, and Personal Needs. This approach may be used by various caregivers and members of the care team to help prevent falls, and to develop a culture that checks in with the resident and addresses their needs at different times of the day.