Elderly Falls in Hospitals

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2000

Journal of Clinical …, 2010

Background: For older adults, numerous age-related changes, functional impairments, and risk factors contribute to a high incidence of falls. The phenomenon of falls in community-dwelling elders is a significant global health care problem because of its high potential of increasing morbidity, mortality, reduced functioning or disability. Falls can lead to premature nursing home admissions, hospitalization, psychological and social consequences, and financial burden for individuals and health care systems across the world. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the state of the science of prevalence fall risk factors, the effects of falls on the elders, and fall prevention programs for elders in Thailand as well as other countries. Materials and Methods: The search strategy was based on electronic searches including CINHAL (OVID ONLINE), the Cochrane Library, handsearch of selected journals, and snowballing from reference lists of selected publications during January 2000 until December 2005. The search terms were accidental falls, risks of falls, falls prevention program, community-dwelling elders, and fall-related injury. Results: The most salient risk factor of fall in community-dwelling elders both in Thailand and in other countries is the impairment of gait and balance. A fall prevention program for the community-dwelling elders should combine strategies including fall prevention education sessions and Tai Chi exercise sessions. These interventions would include physical modification, behavioral modification, and improved environmental safety. Conclusions: Research about the effects of a fall prevention program for the Thai community-dwelling elders should be aimed at improving their gait and balance. An effective fall prevention program is one critical way to enhance the quality of life for the elders in Thailand as well as worldwide.

Clinical Chiropractic, 2008

Objective: To review the literature relative to the etiology and prevention of falls in the elderly. Incidence and significance: Falls are a common occurrence amongst the population, especially in the elderly. There are a considerable number of risk factors involved with the possibility of a fall. Falls in the elderly can be prevented or at least become less frequent through an understanding of risk factors. Discussion: A number of approaches are available and recommended in the prevention of falls. A multiple-risk-factor intervention strategy including balance considerations, activity level, fear of falling reduction, and medication monitoring will result in a significant reduction in the risk of falling among elderly persons. The ability of older persons to perform activities of daily living depends on their capacity to maneuver safely and effectively. Early detection of impairments and functional limitations can identify those persons with reduced mobility, deconditioning, and risks for injury. Direct assessment is necessary for identifying problems in gait, balance, ability to transfer, and joint function. Assessment procedures and intervention strategies are available and should be implemented by healthcare professionals. The risk of falling can be reduced by modifying known risk factors. Conclusions: The approach to prevention of falls in senior citizens should include improving joint mobility, improved patient mobility, and prevention of the downward spiral of fear, depression, and inactivity that can lead to falling. There is a need to develop chiropractic models that address the special preventive and rehabilitative needs of older patients. The ability of older persons to remain independent has a profound influence on the perceived quality of life and the costs incurred for assistance.

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 2009

Public Health …, 2003

Materia socio-medica, 2018

Falling and fear of falling are among the most common problems of the elderly, which can cause illness, isolation, dependency and reduced quality of life in elderly. Exercise is recommended to prevent falling injuries in the elderly. This study aimed to examine the effect of Tai Chi exercise on the risk and fear of falling in older adults. In this randomized clinical trial, a total of 60 male and female elderly were randomly divided into two groups: Tai Chi exercise and control (daily activities) groups. Tai Chi exercise protocol in the intervention group consisted of 3 sessions per week for 10 weeks. The risk and fear of falling were assessed in subjects by using standardized questionnaires, including Berg's Balance Scale and Fall Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) before initiating the protocol, at the end of 4, 8 weeks and at the end of exercise period. Two groups were matched in terms of age, gender, education, and body mass index. Baseline values of risk of falling and fe...

Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2018

Purpose: A mixed-method study aimed to assess situations in which falls occur including prevalence and associated risk factors of falls among physically active elderly who are at risk of experiencing a fall in senior housings, Bangkok, Thailand, and their perceptions regarding falls. Patients and methods: In the first phase, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 64 physically active elderly senior housing residents. Data on sociodemographics, health status, Barthel Index (BI) of activities of daily living, and fall experiences were collected through face-toface interviews. Data on balance scores were obtained from Time Up and Go (TUG) test and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). In the second phase, a qualitative study was conducted on 41 physically active elderly who had experienced falls. Data regarding perception on falls, fall preventions, and fall management, were gathered through in-depth interviews from November 2017 to December 2017. Results: The prevalence of falls among participants in senior housings was 64.1%. Univariate analysis found that a higher BI was associated with fall (P,0.004). Multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression showed that a higher BI (OR=6.00, 95% CI=1.24-29.10) together with $2 environmental hazards (OR=6.33, 95% CI=1.24-32.29) were associated with fall. The result from content analysis indicated that the elderly were aware that they were at risk of fall. In addition, the elderly also perceived that fall could be avoided even though they did not know how to prevent it. Conclusion: The prevalence of fall among physically active elderly in senior housings was relatively high. A higher BI scale and having $2 environmental hazards were associated risk factors of falls. Although the elderly perceived that fall could be avoided, they did not know how to prevent it. The intervention that focuses on environmental modification, balancing enchantment, and education on fall prevention is highly required.

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2003

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether an intense tai chi (TC) exercise program could reduce the risk of falls more than a wellness education (WE) program in older adults meeting criteria for transitioning to frailty. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial of 48 weeks duration. SETTING: Twenty congregate living facilities in the greater Atlanta area. PARTICIPANTS: Sample of 291 women and 20 men aged 70 to 97. MEASUREMENTS: Demographics, time to first fall and all subsequent falls, functional measures, Sickness Impact Profile, Centers for Epidemiologic StudiesFDepression Scale, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, Falls Efficacy Scales, and adherence to interventions. RESULTS: The risk ratio (RR) of falling was not statistically different in the TC group and the WE group (RR 5 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5 0.52-1.08), P 5.13). Over the 48 weeks of intervention, 46% (n 5 132) of the participants did not fall; the percentage of participants that fell at least once was 47.6% for the TC group and 60.3% for the WE group. CONCLUSION: TC did not reduce the RR of falling in transitionally frail, older adults, but the direction of effect observed in this study, together with positive findings seen previously in more-robust older adults, suggests that TC may be clinically important and should be evaluated further in this high-risk population.

Background: For older adults, numerous age-related changes, functional impairments, and risk factors contribute to a high incidence of falls. The phenomenon of falls in community-dwelling elders is a significant global health care problem because of its high potential of increasing morbidity, mortality, reduced functioning or disability. Falls can lead to premature nursing home admissions, hospitalization, psychological and social consequences, and financial burden for individuals and health care systems across the world. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the state of the science of prevalence fall risk factors, the effects of falls on the elders, and fall prevention programs for elders in Thailand as well as other countries. Materials and Methods: The search strategy was based on electronic searches including CINHAL (OVID ONLINE), the Cochrane Library, handsearch of selected journals, and snowballing from reference lists of selected publications during January ...