Introduction One of the leading causes of hospitalization and mortality in older people is the fear of falling or falling itself. Falling accounts for on average more than 2.5 million injuries treated in emergency rooms every year. Not to mention every 20 min an older adult dies from a fall, accounting for over 21,000 deaths in a year on average. This can get very costly; it is estimated to hit a high of $67.7 billion by the year 2020. Falling or the fear of falling not only leads to physical harm but also leads to mental distress in the elderly. The fear of falling can lead to things such as depression, anxiety, social isolation or even decreased physical activity that can later cause muscular dystrophy. Analysis of studies of the risk factors …show more content…
The independent variables included risk factors of fear of falling; aging, gender, health status (both mentally and physically), and lifestyle choices. The dependent variable for these studies were fear of falling. Results This review helps gather information on the study of the different risks factors studied associated with community-dwelling older adults’ fear of falling. In article 1; Gender perspective on fear of falling using the classification of functioning as the model (Pohl et al., 2014 Sweden) two hundred and thirty men and women aged 75 to 93 years old were assessed for Fear of Falling “with the question, “Are you afraid of falling?”. The results were analyzed with gender relational. At the start, baseline, 92 women, and 14 men reported fear of falling, but by the follow-up stage, the numbers dropped down to 35 for women who reported fear of falling whereas it rose up to 19 men reporting fear of falling. This study indicated that the question assessed “might be highly influenced by gendered patterns.” …show more content…
What seemed to be one of the least relevant factors was the receipt of medications when compared to other risk factors. As seen in table 1, one can conclude that some of the leading causes for fear of falling is old age. Most studies done showed that females were at a higher risk than their male counterparts. Some other main findings included that the experience of previous falls, lower perceived health status and existence of body pain led to FOF. The first article concluded that “The relationship between FOF and Personal factors was in opposite directions for women and men.” (Pohl et al., 2014 Sweden) The next article found that “the significant differences in activity levels between fallers and non-fallers and men who were fearful of falling or not afraid of falling, were mediated by similar variables; lower exercise self-efficacy, fewer excursions from home and more mobility difficulties.” (Jefferis et al., 2014 UK) In Prevalence and correlates of fear of falling in Korean community-dwelling elderly subjects “in total, 76.6% of elderly Korean subjects had the fear of falling. Factors associated with an increased risk of fear of falling in elderly subjects were, in order from highest to lowest, previous experience of falling, experience of body pain, lower perceived health status, presence of depression, receipt of more doses of drugs per day for those receiving 1–2 or ≥3 doses of
In over-all, 65 years and older suffer from many geriatric symptoms, due to psychotropic and anti-psychotropic medications, including Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), mobility challenges, incontinence, poor balance, disorganization and confusion which all lead to high falls. According to a study in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, patients with the highest risk for falls presented with one or more of the following variables such as Parkinson’s syndrome, Dementia, female gender, mood stabilizers, cardiac arrhythmia, and ECT. Edmonson et. al established, “The Edmonson Psychiatric Fall Risk Assessment Tool (EPFRAT) specific to the psychiatric, geriatric population and found initial testing of EPFRAT to have higher sensitivity in assessing fall risk in the geri-psych inpatient population” (Edmonson, Robinson, & Hughes, 2011). This project purpose is to investigate and explore whether an Edmonson Fall risk assessment Toll decreases patient falls in inpatient geri-psych units. Stakeholders and Change
As people age, they face difficulties with seeing and also with mobility, declines in their physiological systems impact balance, range and speed. These physiological problems can result in falls, which tend to be really problematic for the elderly living alone at home. The Hendrich II Fall Risk Model (HFRM) was used on Mr. T.C to assess his fall risk; this tool is used in acute care facilities to estimate the risk for falls in adults (Hendrich, 2013). The client scored a 6, any score exceeding a 5 is considered a high risk for fall. Being a male is one of the predetermined risk points that make one susceptible of falling as well their symptomatic depression, both which the client falls under. The Get-Up-and-Go Test is also a predetermined risk factor of HFRM; it determines the client’s ability to rise from a seated position. It took the client 3 attempts to fully stand up from a seated position.
Peel, N. M., Travers, C., Bell, R. R., & Smith, K. (2010). Evaluation of a health service delivery intervention to promote falls prevention in older people across the care continuum. Journal Of Evaluation In Clinical Practice, 16(6), 1254-1261. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2753.2009.01307.x
The book I read to examine multicultural issues and cultural biases was The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, by Anne Faldiman. I found it helpful to use Google maps to get a visual of the location Hmong refugees came from in Laos and mentally trace their journey across the Pacific to settle in Merced, CA. There are two main cultures discussed in this book which includes the subordinate Hmong Lee family and the dominant White American doctors who tried to help Lia with her medical or spirit issues depending on which culture you asked. Faldiman stated in the preface, “I have always felt that the action most worth watching is not at the center of things but where the edges meet.” This statement would hold so much relevance because Lia’s treatments could have been less stressful if the two cultures reached a point of intersectionality. This is also congruent with what Tatum mentioned in Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria concerning, “Changes in immigration policy in 1965 dramatically increased Asian immigration, significantly altering the demographic makeup of the Asian Pacific American community.” In order to have a full
Fatigue, decreased mobility and impaired balance from the rheumatoid and osteoarthritis pain also increases the risk of falls (Stanmore et al., 2013). Age related changes such as sarcopenia causes muscle tone and strength to decrease, especially in the lower limbs and as a result, balance and gait become impaired (Culross, 2008). These factors significantly influence the risk of falls and also affect the ability to carry out daily activities therefore, with a physiotherapists assistance, the nurse could introduce a personalised exercise regime to enhance muscle tone and strength (Culross, 2008). According to Neuberger et al (1997), exercise lessens fatigue and improves muscle tone and balance in older people. Recommending an exercise programme for Mrs Jones that incorporates strength training exercises and aerobics, could potentially improve muscle tone and strength and as a result improve mobility, balance and lessen the risk of falls (Bird, Pittaway, Cuisick, Rattray & Ahuja, 2013). The nurse could also suggest safety precautions such as advising Mrs Jones to use a mobility aid (Gooberman-Hill & Ebrahim,
It is important that key factors in determining who is and who is not a risk to fall are sought out by the health care team. In this paper we will focus on how to determine who is a fall risk.
From the literature researched, the writer thinks that environmental modifications along with multifactorial interventions can make a difference for falls that an elderly can receive. Still, he thinks that there should be more research done on environmental assessment tools, flooring, and effective behavioral interventions. On his last thoughts, he believes that strategies should be patient focused and environmental modifications should be developed for that individual.
Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO). (2005). Prevention of falls and fall injuries in the older adult. Retrieved from http://rnao.ca/sites/rnao-ca/files/Prevention_of_Falls_and_Fall_Injuries_in_the_Older_Adult.pdf
A fall is an “untoward event which results in the patient coming to rest unintentionally on the ground” (Morris & Isaacs, 1980). When it comes to patient safety in health care, there isn’t any subject that takes precedence. Patient falls are a major cause for concern in the health industry, particularly in an acute-care setting such as a hospital where a patient’s mental and physical well being may already be compromised. Not only do patient falls increase the length of hospital stays, but it has a major impact on the economics of health care with adjusted medical costs related to falls averaging in the range of 30 billion dollars per year (Center for Disease Control [CDC], 2013). Patient falls are a common phenomenon seen most often in the elderly population. One out of three adults, aged 65 or older, fall each year (CDC, 2013). Complications of falls are quite critical in nature and are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries including traumatic brain injuries and fractures. A huge solution to this problem focuses on prevention and education to those at risk. ...
A fall is a lethal event that results from an amalgamation of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors which predispose an elderly person to the incident (Naqvi et al 2009). The frequency of hospital admission due to falls for older people in Australia, Canada, UK and Northern Ireland range from 1.6 to 3.0 per 10 000 population (WHO 2012). The prevalence of senior citizen’s falls in acute care settings varies widely and the danger of falling rises with escalating age or frailty. Falls of hospitalized older adults are one of the major patient safety issues in terms of morbidity, mortality, and decreased socialization (Swartzell et al. 2013). Because the multi-etiological factors contribute to the incidence and severity of falls in older society, each cause should be addressed or alleviated to prevent patient’s injuries during their hospital stay (Titler et al. 2011). Therefore, nursing interventions play a pivotal role in preventing patient injury related to hospital falls (Johnson et al. 2011). Unfortunately, the danger of falling rises with age and enormously affect one third of older people with ravages varying from minimal injury to incapacities, which may lead to premature death (Johnson et al. 2011). In addition, to the detrimental impacts on patient falls consequently affect the patient’s family members, care providers, and the health organization emotionally as well as financially (Ang et al. 2011). Even though falls in hospital affect young as well as older patients, the aged groups are more likely to get injured than the youth (Boltz et al. 2013). Devastating problems, which resulted from the falls, can c...
A couple pin pointed controllable risk factors in osteoporosis are inactive lifestyle, smoking and alcohol intake (“Osteoporosis risk factors,” 2013). Individuals who do not have an active lifestyle such as no daily exercise routine or maybe even bedridden are at risk of osteoporosis because any kind of ...
Panic disorder is an anxiety-repeated disorder that affects approximately five percent of the population (Roy-Byrne, Craske, & Stein, 2006). A diagnosis of panic disorder requires that the individual experiences recurrent panic attacks with any of the following: worry about the possibility of future attacks, avoiding places or situations in which the individual fears a panic attack may occur, fear of being unable to escape or obtain help, or any other change in behavior due to the attacks (Roy-Byrne, Craske, & Stein, 2006). Panic attacks are often sudden and the sufferer usually experience physical symptoms such as autonomie, otoneurological, gastrointestinal,or cardiorespiratory distress (Roy-Byrne, Craske, & Stein, 2006). Individuals who suffer from panic disorder typically utilize medical services at a higher rate than those who do not have panic disorder, an impaired social life, and a reduced quality of life (Taylor, 2006). Often times those who suffer from panic disorder may also suffer from depression and general anxiety (Taylor, 2006). According to the Stanford University School of medicine, approximately 50 percent of patients diagnosed with panic disorder will develop depression and approximately 50 percent of depressed patients will develop panic disorder (Taylor, 2006). In addition those who suffer from panic disorder have a higher incidence of suicide, especially those with comorbid depression (Taylor, 2006). Not everyone who experiences a panic attack suffers from panic disorder (Roy-Byrne, Craske, & Stein, 2006). The same physical symptoms of panic disorder may occur when an individual is faced with specific fears and potentially dangerous situations (Roy-Byrne, Craske, & Stein, 2006). The difference b...
When taking steps to analyze and apply intervention strategies for falls, we must examine the factors that cause these occurrences. There are numerous reasons that falls occur, such as intrinsic and or extrinsic risk factors. Intrinsic risk factors for falls may be due to changes that are part of the normal aging process and acute or chronic conditions. According to Zheng, Pan and Hua et al. (2013), about 35-45 percent of individuals who are usually older than 65 years and other 50 percent of the elderly individuals report cases of fall every year. Extrinsic factors are those related to physical environment such as lack of grab bars, poor condition of floor surfaces, inadequate or improper use of assistive devices (Currie). Patient falls is not an easy thing to eliminate. With many clinical challenges, there’s no easy answer to the challenges posed by patient falls; howe...
Many factors can influence the results of testing this hypothesis. All variables have been controlled except for the variable gender. Both the male and female subjects are close in age (< two years difference), both are nonsmokers, both possess small body builds for their respective gender, and both have no debilitating medical conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes, heart condition). Controlling these factors allowed for the testing of the hypothesis, which is focused strictly on gender.
Traumatic brain injuries, broken hips, loss of independence and death are some of falls' most serious outcomes (Williams, Szekendi, & Thomas, 2014). Therefore, we need fall prevention strategies and tools to define and measure falls. Ultimately that wills assist health care teams to identify risks and target prevention strategies. The purpose of this stud...