Falls are a major health issue for the elderly. They are the second leading cause of accidental death worldwide among adults over 65. Many factors increase the risk of falling, including increased age, living alone, visual impairment, arthritis, and alcohol use. Common places for falls are in the bathroom. Prevention strategies include removing home hazards, wearing sensible shoes, and using assistive devices like motion sensors, toilet seat risers, and grab bars in bathrooms.

1. FALLS IN THE ELDERLY
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2. HELP ! I’VE FALLEN AND I CAN’T GET UP
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3. ❏ DEFINITION
❏ EPIDEMIOLOGY OF FALLS
❏ FALL STATISTICS
❏ RISK FACTOR
❏ FALLS PREVENTION
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OUTLINE

4. DEFINITION
A fall is defined as an event which results in a person coming to
rest inadvertently on the ground or floor or other lower level.
(WHO)
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5. EPIDEMIOLOGY OF FALLS
● Falls are the second leading cause of accidental or unintentional
injury deaths worldwide.
● Each year an estimated 646 000 individuals die from falls globally
of which over 80% are in low- and middle-income countries.
● Adults older than 65 years of age suffer the greatest number of
fatal falls.
● 37.3 million falls that are severe enough to require medical
attention occur each year
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6. ❏ Increased Age
❏ Living Alone
❏ Previous Falls
❏ Use of a Cane or Walker
Risk factors
❏ Visual Impairment
❏ Arthritis
❏ Alcohol
❏ Reduced mobility
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7. Risk factors
❏ The size of the impact environmental factors have on the risk of falling
among older people is uncertain. Some studies have reported that
between 30% and 50% of falls among community dwelling older people
are due to environmental causes and others that 20% of falls are due to
major external factors (those that would cause any healthy adult to fall)
(12,14).
❏ Drugs: the use of benzodiazepines in older people is associated with a
44% increase in risk of hip fracture and night falls. There is a significantly
increased risk of falling when using drugs such as psychotropic,
antiarrhythmic drugs, digoxin, diuretics, and sedatives.
❏ Alzheimer’s or dementia
❏ žFoot problems/inappropriate footwear
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8. Important facts
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● A full 80 percent of falls happen in the bathroom, according to
NEWS USA quoting a National Institute on Aging Statistic.
● Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall
injury, most often because of a head injury or hip fracture.
● Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries.
● Every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall.
● Each year, 3 million older people are treated in emergency
departments for fall injuries

9. FALL STATISTICS
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10. ❏ Make an Appointment with your doctor.
❏ Keep moving.
❏ Wear sensible shoes.
❏ Remove home hazards.
❏ Light up your living space.
❏ Use assistive devices.
FALLS PREVENTION
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11. Fall prevention devices for elderly
❏ Motion Sensors
❏ Toilet seat risers
❏ Bath/shower safety grip handles
❏ Motion Sensor LED Light
❏ Hipsaver
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12. MOTION SENSORS
Motion sensor alarms can be a either standalone
single sensor and alarm unit, or they could come in
a two-piece wireless set consisting of a sensor and
an alarm/pager. Once motion is detected, the alarm
rings. This serves to alert a caregiver or family
member in case an elderly gets up from his bed or
from the couch. This allows the caregiver to
immediately come to the assistance of the elderly
to prevent any untoward accidents that may result.
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13. TOILET SEAT RISERS
This allows people the elderly or the disabled
to experience ease when accessing toilets.
With toilet seat risers, there is less strain and
hassle involved in sitting down or getting up
from toilet seats. It is also helpful when
transferring from wheelchairs. Some even
come with removable arms to make
movements even more stable. The
convenience plays a significant role in
preventing falls that often take place in the
bathroom.
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14. BATH/SHOWER SAFETY GRIP HANDLES
● A full 80 percent of falls happen
in the bathroom, according to
NEWS USA quoting a National
Institute on Aging Statistic.
● These are safety bars that seniors can
grab on to maintain his balance,
reduce effects of fatigue when he is
standing, maneuver directions easily,
or use something to grab into in the
event of accidental slips or falls
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15. MOTION SENSOR LED LIGHT
● Studies show poor illumination as the root
cause of up to 20% of facility falls.
● The perfect, low-cost solution for patients
who wander or frequently get up at night.
When a patient or staff disturbs the sensing
field, the light turns on, instantly making a
safer pathway. Perfect for use in any
healthcare facility, even at home!
Convenient stationary mount can be placed
on the floor or on any surface for optimal
positioning.
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16. HIPSAVER
● Between 1990 and 2000, there was nearly a 25%
increase in hip fractures worldwide. The peak
number of hip fractures occurred at 75-79 years
of age for both sexes; for all other fractures, the
peak number occurred at 50-59 years and
decreased with age.
● By 2050, the worldwide incidence of hip fracture
in men is projected to increase by 310% and
240% in women, compared to rates in 1990
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17. ● A hip protector is a specialized form of pants or underwear
containing pads (either hard or soft) along the outside of each
hip/leg, designed to prevent HIP FRACTURES following a fall.
They are most commonly used in elderly individuals who have
a high risk of falls and hip fractures
HIPSAVER
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19. THANKS !
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