Falls Prevention And Management Flashcards
Define elderly
WHO defines a person as old from the age of 60
What are the general changes caused by aging ?
- accumulation of molecular and cellular damage over time
- no difference between the process of aging and a degenerative process
- age is a poor indicator of these changes
- associated with life transitions:
Retirement, housing adaptations, death of relatives, diminution of physical activities, reduction in social participation
What are the functional changes caused by aging ?
- reduction of reaction time
- gait impairment
- reduced adaptative strategies
- difficulties in double tasks
- reduced perception of obstacles and adaptation to light
- balance impairment
- sarcopenia
- hormonal changes: sleep growth factor, osteoporosis (ex: sleep disturbances)
What is sarcopenia ?
The loss of muscle mass, quality and strength linked with aging. Rate is 4% to 6% per decade, starting at 40 yo for women and at 60 yo for men. It strictly correlates with physical impairment, quality of life and life expectancy.
What aggravates sarcopenia ?
- poor diet
- physical inactivity
- comorbidities
- genetics
- hormones
- trauma
Is the risk of falling related to age ?
No it’s influenced by several factors, not only age
The risk of falling is not strictly related to age
It relates more to frailty
No consensus
Conjunction of multiple interacting conditions
Inescapable process
Consequences of sub-clinical elements that are difficult to observe on clinical examination
Assessed by functional scales
What are the 4 major components to be assess in cas of suspicion of frailty ?
- muscle function
- balance and walking function
- cognitive function
- nutritional status
What are the 5 areas of frailty operational definition ?
- mobility
- physical impairments
- sensory ability
- memory
- energy
To which specific factor is frailty correlated ?
It is correlated with socio-economic level because it impacts the access to health care
Is frailty correlated with gender ?
No
Is frailty correlated with region of residence ?
No
Is frailty correlated with marital status ?
No
Is frailty correlated with age ?
No
What is the most affected area by frailty ?
Energy
Where do people fall the most frequently ?
The most autonomous ones fall outside of their house, while the most fragile ones fall at home. Interior housing counts for 67% of falls.
Define falling
An event in which a person inadvertently lands on the ground or other surface at a lower level than previously. The person was unable to regain balance.
This definition excludes loss of consciousness, stroke, major extrinsic accidents.
What are the consequences of falling ?
It leads to significant and lasting functional decline even in the absence of sever physical trauma. It causes an increase in the mortality rate the worst being for hip fractures (10 to 20% increase risk within 12 months)
What is the relapses risk after the first fall event ?
> 50% within a year
What is the post-fall syndrome ?
It caused by the trauma of the fall or the fall of a relative.
This fear of falling may predate the fall and causes psychomotor maladjustments:
- spontaneous reduction in activities
- decreased functional abilities
- postural disorders
- gait disorders
- increased risk for further falls
It is a vicious circle:
Fall=> fear of falling => voluntary restriction from participating in activities => physical diconditionning
What is the physiotherapist’s mission in post fall rehabilitation ?
- functional rehabilitation
- adjustments of the environment
What are the 3 categories of predictive factors for fall ?
- multi factorial factors
- intrinsic factors
- extrinsic factors
List the multi factorial predictive factors of falls ?
- aging
- pathology affecting the equilibrium function
- medication
- environment
- behavior (avoiders vs. per sisters)
List the extrinsic predictive factors of falls
- environment
- behavior
- activities
Give examples of behavioral extrinsic predictive factors of falls
- alcohol
- sedentary life
- nutrition
- risk taking