Ger 8 Falls Flashcards
What is a common devastating problem among older people?
Falls
What do falls result in?
Morbidity, mortality, and the use of health care services such as premature nursing home admission
What are falls associated with?
One or more risk factors: Weakness, unsteady gait, confusion, medication
What can significantly reduce the number of falls?
Attention to these risk factors
What is the most cost-effective and overall effectiveness in fall reduction?
A risk factor assessment with targeted intervention, exercise programs, and environmental hazards assessment and changes
Why is medical assessment of fall risks and providing appropriate intervention challenging?
Because of the complex nature of falls
What are 2 serious clinical problems in older patients?
Falls and unstable balance
What do falls cause and increased rate in? (4)
- Morbidity
- Mortality
- Immobility
- Premature nursing home placement
What is the 5th leading cause of death in older adults?
Unintentional injuries (after CV disease, cancer, stroke, pulmonary disorders)
What causes 2/3 of unintentional injuries?
Falls
In the US what 3/4 of deaths due to falls occur in what % of the population over 65?
13%
-This is a geriatric syndrome
What % of 65+ living at home fall at least once each year?
40%
Of the 40% of 65+ living at home that fall at least once each year, how many will be hospitalized?
1/40
Of the people who are admitted to the hospital after a fall, how many will be alive a year later?
1/2
What are the majority of the reasons why people end up at nursing homes?
Repeated falls and instability
Where is the lowest rate (0.3-1.6/person annually) of falls for older people?
Community living (generally healthy elderly people over 65)
In falls in healthy older people living in the community, what % can induce fractures or require hospitalization?
5% (most don’t result in serious injuries)
What happens to the rates of falls and associated complications with age?
They steadily rise and are 2X the previous number in over 75 years
Where is the highest rate (0.6-3.6/bed annually) of falls in older people?
Those living in long term care institutions
Of people in institutions, what % of falls results in fracture or lacerations?
10-25%
What fractures are more common between ages 65-75?
Wrist fractures
What fractures are more common in ages after 75?
Hip fractures
What are complications of falls due to? (3)
Combination of high incidence and high susceptibility to injury
*This is due to high prevalence of clinical diseases (osteoporosis) and age-related changes (reflexes)
What is a risk factor for subsequent falls?
Delayed recovery from falls that results in deconditioning