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Falls in older adults are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality and are a major class of preventable injuries. Falling is one of the most common accidents that cause a loss in the quality of life for older adults, and is usually precipitated by a loss of balance and weakness in the legs.
Older adults who have experienced a traumatic injury after a fall are 21 percent more likely to later receive a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another related dementia, a new study indicates.
Even in cases of community-dwelling older adults experiencing falls related to slipping, tripping, or stumbling, the patients’ co-morbidities and health status are often involved. In addition, a proportion of patients with reported “non-mechanical falls” have been shown to have environmental factors. [ 15 ]
Long-term exercise appears to decrease the rate of falls in older people. [5] Rates of falls in hospital can be reduced with a number of interventions together by 0.72 from baseline in the elderly. [28] In nursing homes, fall prevention programs that involve a number of interventions prevent recurrent falls. [29]
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released a draft recommendation advising against using vitamin D to prevent falls and fractures in people over 60. Pharmacist Katy Dubinsky weighs in.
Fall prevention includes any action taken to help reduce the number of accidental falls suffered by susceptible individuals, such as the elderly and people with neurological (Parkinson's, Multiple sclerosis, stroke survivors, Guillain-Barre, traumatic brain injury, incomplete spinal cord injury) or orthopedic (lower limb or spinal column fractures or arthritis, post-surgery, joint replacement ...
Frail elderly people are at significant risk of post-surgical complications and the need for extended care. Frailty more than doubles the risk of morbidity and mortality from surgery and cardiovascular conditions. [65] Assessment of older patients before elective surgeries can accurately predict the patients' recovery trajectories. [66]
Missed nursing care is common when taking care of patients with dementia. Some nurses may prioritize other patients based on the stage of their dementia and their age. Missed care could lead to complications such as falls, infections, and incontinence. [54] Several conditions can result in memory loss or other signs of dementia.