First things first, let’s start with a definition😎
A fall is a landing on the ground or a lower level without meaning to🤷♀️It is one of the most common geriatric syndromes seen in hospitalized older adults.
🏃♂️One out of three older adults falls each year. Not all falls require hospitalization, and most occur indoors.
🚴♂️Some falls result in broken bones (fractures), such as hip fractures or vertebral fractures.
🤾♀️Once older adults experience a fall, they are at increased risk of falling again and may develop a fear of falling.
🏥 When older adults are admitted to the hospital after a fall, they require a series of tests to determine if there are any injuries and to identify any medical problems that may have contributed to the fall.
🎗️Ideally, they should be evaluated by a geriatrician for a comprehensive geriatric assessment. This evaluation should address their home environment, functional abilities at home, fall risk factors, medications, and measures to prevent future falls.
A thorough geriatric evaluation can identify many lifestyle modifications and medications that require attention and change to prevent further falls. A skilled, dedicated geriatric team is essential for this process.🙌
One of the most satisfying things for me as a geriatrician is identifying problematic medications in my patients’ medication lists and then either de-prescribing (decluttering) them or educating patients and their families about them.🥳
Hospitals have many policies in place to prevent falls, but these still need further development and optimization. 👩💻
Exercise is a crucial component of fall prevention, but not just any exercise. Exercises that specifically target strength and balance training are the most effective in preventing recurrent falls.💪
Here some website that you might find useful information👇
https://www.ncoa.org/older-adults/health/prevention/falls-prevention
