Virtually all healthcare organizations, since 2001, acknowledge that falls are a very serious problem in the United States older adult population. Yet, the increase of fall injury and death continues to rise. Why? Two reasons: Most physicians are not educated to their role in identifying and assessing a patient’s fall risk factors, and most seniors are not aware of the fact that falls are largely preventable.
Definition of a fall: An unplanned descent to the floor, or lower level, with or without injury.
A third of community-dwelling individuals over the age of 65 fall each year. Unintentional falls are the number 1 cause of injuries for people older than 65 years and the number 1 cause of death for those over age 70.
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In a long-term care setting, up to 55 percent of residents are reported to fall
during their stay.
Risk factors: The pivotal research of Tinetti, Speechly, Ginter and others, related to fall and injury prevention in community-dwelling individuals older than 65 years, identified the following risk factors for falling:
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(1) postural hypotension (feeling faint when getting up from a bed or chair),
(2) sleep aids, anti-anxiety, anti-depression medications
(3) use of four or more prescription medications,
(4) environmental hazards
(5) balance dysfunction, muscular strength or range of motion impairments
(6) comorbidities (other chronic health issues can contribute to falls)
(7) Vitamin D levels too low
(8) Fear of falling
Take Action: Like a fever, nausea or sudden chest pain… falls are a symptom of other things going on. All too often we dismiss a fall or two as clumsiness or not paying attention…when we should be looking for the “Why” of it. Once the risk factors are identified, a treatment strategy can be developed, and the falls can usually be reduced significantly.
