12. fall in elderly

Question 1

define fall and what is this distinguished from

Answer 1

An unintentional/unexpected loss of balance resulting in coming to rest on the floor, the ground, or an object below knee level

collapse: due to acute medical problem

Question 2

multifactorial falls risk assessment

Answer 2

for those who have fallen in the past year

• Home hazard
• Assess perceived function and fear of falling
• Assess visual impairment
• Medication review
• Assess gait, balance, mobility and strength
• Assess neurological function and cognition
• Osteoporosis risk
• History of falls
• CV status
• Continence assessment: bowels and bladder movement control

Question 3

Exercise in prevention of falls

Answer 3

• strength training
• balance
• gait training
• coordination training
• multifactorial/multicomponent intervention to prevent falls in older persons
• consider as a single intervention
• appropriate specialist support

Question 4

The 8 absolute contraindications for exercise:

Answer 4

1. New or uncontrolled arrhythmia
2. Resting or uncontrolled tachycardia
3. Resting SBP >180mmHg or DBP >100mmHg
4. Symptomatic hypotension
5. Unstable/ crescendo angina
6. Acute or unstable heart failure
7. Unstable diabetes
8. Acute febrile illness (fever)