🧓🏻 Fall prevention in the elderly

✔ Simple tips for reducing the risk for falls at home. 📈 In the US, falls are the leading cause of accidental death and the 7th leading cause of death in people 65 years old & above. Medical costs to Medicare alone for fall injuries are over 31 billion annually and expected to rise.

🏥 Falling increases risk of injury, hospitalization, and death. This is especially true in elderly people who have preexisting medical comorbidity. Falls contribute to > 40% of nursing home admissions. Although most injuries are not serious, fall-related injuries account for 5% of hospitalizations in patients 65 and above. Elderly people who fall and cannot get up without help can remain on the floor for greater than 2 hours, increasing the risk of dehydration, pressure ulcers, rhabdomyolysis, any hypothermia.

Risk factors can be classified into intrinsic and extrinsic.

Intrinsic factors originate within the individual: ⏰ Advanced age 🏥 Chronic medical conditions (arthritis, stroke, diabetes, Parkinson’s, and dementia) 💪 Muscle weakness and gait instability 👀 Poor vision 🤕 Previous falls and fear of falling Extrinsic risk factors originate outside of the individual: 💡 Physical environment (poor lighting, lack of handrails, spills, pets) ♿ Assisted devices (canes, walkers, and wheelchairs) 👞 Footwear (proper fit, slip resistant, and low heels) 💊 The elderly are often on multiple medications and must be reviewed regularly as they can increase the risk for falls in a number of ways: 🔸Aminoglycosides - direct vestibule damage 🔸Analgesics - reduced alertness and slower cognitive processing 🔸Antiarrhythmics- impaired cerebral perfusion 🔸Anticholinergics - confusion and delirium

🔸Antihypertensives- postural hypotension 🔸Psychoactive drugs - slower cognitive processing Other tips for prevention: 🔹Evaluate footwear and encourage low heeled shoes with non-slip soles 🔹Regular eye exams 🔹Appropriate use of assisted devices 🔹Exercises to help maintain muscle strength and balance 🔹Educational programs