Week 12 - Falls Prevention

Question 1

“Fall” definition

Answer 1

An unexpected/unintentional event in which the person comes to rest on the ground, floor, or lower level

Question 2

Definitions: Slip & Trip

Answer 2

Slips = occur when too little friction or traction b/w feet and the walking surface.

Trips = occur when foot strikes an object or irregular surface and momentum throws you off balance

Question 3

In older adults, falls are the lead cause of …

Answer 3

fatal injuries
nonfatal injuries
hospital admissions for trauma

Question 4

Annually, about what percentage of community-dwelling older adults fall?

Answer 4

~30%

Question 5

Important risk factors for falls include:

Answer 5

Muscle weakness, History of falls, & Gait deficits

Question 6

Some outcomes of falls include:

Answer 6

Injuries, Costs, Loss of independence, Psychological trauma, & Death

Question 7

What percentage of hip fractures are due to falls?

Answer 7

90%

Question 8

True or False? 85 years older are 10-15x more likely to sustain a hip fracture compared to 75 yr olds.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

True or False? Females fall more often, but males more likely to sustain fatal injury when falling (post fall infection?)

Answer 9

True

Question 10

True or False? 33% of people who sustain a hip fracture from a fall, die.

Answer 10

False.

24% of people who sustain hip fracture from a fall, die.

Question 11

Describe “Fear of Falling” (FOF)

Answer 11

Lasting concern about falling that can lead to an individual avoiding activities that he/she remains capable of performing

Question 12

Describe the cycle of consequences of Fear of Falling (FOF)

Answer 12

Fear of falling –> Restricts Activity –> Physical capabilities reduced –> Restricts more activities –> More impaired physical capabilities

Question 13

Common tests of Gait & Mobility include:

Answer 13

Timed up and go test (TUG)
Gait speed
6-minute walk test 
Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA)
Dynamic Gait Index 
Contextualized

Question 14

Common tests of “balance” include:

Answer 14

Maximum step length
Functional reach test
Unipedal and tandem stance tests 
Berg Balance Scale 
Postural sway
30 sec chair stand
Contextualized

Question 15

Common tests of Home Assessment & Behavior include:

Answer 15

Westmead Home Safety Assessment (WeHSA)
Comprehensive Assessment and Solution Process for Aging Residents (CASPAR)
Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool (HOME FAST)
Falls Behavioral Scale (FaB)

Question 16

Common tests of “cognition” include:

Answer 16

Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE)
Dual-task performance
Routine Task Inventory
Executive Function Performance Test

Question 17

Common tests of FOF & Balance Confidence include:

Answer 17

FOF
Yes / no
Likert
Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale
Falls Self-Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I)
Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (SAFFE)