Falls in the elderly
All older patients presenting to the ED should be routinely asked if they have fallen in the past year
- Those considered at risk of falling should be observed for balance and gait deficits and
considered for their ability to benefit from interventions to improve strength and balance.
- Beware those who
- Have fallen more that once
- More that 5 medications
- Needed assistance to get up off floor
- Consider referring recurrent fallers or high risk patients to the CREST or geriatric out patients
- Multifactorial assessment may include:
- identification of falls history
- assessment of gait, balance and mobility, and muscle weakness
- assessment of osteoporosis risk
- assessment of the older person’s perceived functional ability and fear relating to falling
- assessment of visual impairment
- assessment of cognitive impairment and neurological examination
- assessment of urinary incontinence
- assessment of home hazards
- cardiovascular examination and medication review
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