Falls prevention in the elderly: translating evidence into practice.
Author: Luk JK1, Chan TY2, Chan DK3.
Affiliation:
1Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Fung Yiu King Hospital, Hong Kong. 2Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, Yaumatei, Hong Kong. 3Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Ingham Institute; Aged Care & Rehab, Bankstown Hospital, Australia.
Conference/Journal: Hong Kong Med J.
Date published: 2015 Feb 27
Other:
Special Notes: doi: 10.12809/hkmj144469 , Word Count: 169
Falls are a common problem in the elderly. A common error in their management is that injury from the fall is treated, without finding its cause. Thus a proactive approach is important to screen for the likelihood of fall in the elderly. Fall assessment usually includes a focused history and a targeted examination. Timed up-and-go test can be performed quickly and is able to predict the likelihood of fall. Evidence-based fall prevention interventions include multi-component group or home-based exercises, participation in Tai Chi, environmental modifications, medication review, management of foot and footwear problems, vitamin D supplementation, and management of cardiovascular problems. If possible, these are best implemented in the form of multifactorial intervention. Bone health enhancement for residential care home residents and appropriate community patients, and prescription of hip protectors for residential care home residents are also recommended. Multifactorial intervention may also be useful in a hospital and residential care home setting. Use of physical restraints is not recommended for fall prevention.
KEYWORDS:
Accidental Falls/prevention & control; Aged
PMID: 25722468
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