This document discusses falls in the elderly, including risk factors and nursing interventions. It begins by defining a fall and noting that risk increases with age. Environmental factors like inadequate lighting and behavioral factors like multiple medications increase risk. Nursing interventions include exercises to improve strength and balance, environmental modifications like grab bars, and managing risk factors such as reviewing medications. The goal is to prevent injuries through risk assessment and effective interventions.

1. Falls in the Elderly
Mónica Soares Pinto Roque
Friday, 25th October 2013

2. SUMMARY
1. Falls in the Elderly
2. Fall Risk Factors
3. Nursing Interventions
Conclusion
References

3. FALLS IN THE ELDERLY
Inadvertently coming to rest on the ground, floor or other lower level,
excluding intentional change in position to rest in furniture, wall or other
objects.
WHO, 2007
 The risk of falling increases exponentially with age.
 Most falls occur at home.
 Women have more falls than men.

4. •Restriction in daily
activities
Loss of
independence
and autonomy
Pain
•Hip fractures
•Traumatic brain
injuries
•Upper limb injuries
Trauma
•Fear of falling
Loss of
confidence
Death

5. FALL RISK FACTORS
ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS:
• Inadequate lighting
• Lack of grab bars in bathrooms
•Lack of handrails in stairs
• Slippery floors and stairs
• Large clothes
•Cracked or uneven sidewalks
•Looser rugs

6. FALL RISK FACTORS
BIOLOGICAL RISK FACTORS:
•Age and gender
•Loss of muscle strength
•Physical disability
•Impaired control of balance and gait
•Vision changes
•Chronic or acute illness

7. FALL RISK FACTORS
BEHAVIOURAL RISK FACTORS:
•History of previous falls
•Use 3 or more prescription medications
•Psychotropic
•Sedative
•Anti-hypertensive
•Anti-diabetic
•Excessive alcohol use
•Inactivity
•Inadequate diet
•Fear of falling

8. FEAR OF FALLING: WHY IS IT A FALL RISK
FACTOR?
The fear of
Falling
Inactivity
Increase of the
weakness
Increase of the
fear of falling
A fall

9. NURSING INTERVENTIONS
Prevention of falls
• Individual Risk Assessment
•Appropriate nursing interventions
EXERCISES
ENVIRONMENTAL
ADAPTATIONS
OTHER
INTERVENTIONS

10. Nursing Interventions
GOALS:
•Increase muscle strength
•Increase balance
EXERCISES
•Maintain or improve posture
Environmental
Adaptations
•Be able to carry out daily activities
•Decrease pain.
Other
Interventions
Balance
Exercises
Strength
Exercises
Gait Training

11. Nursing Interventions
•Install grab bars in the shower or where
Exercises
ENVIRONMENTAL
ADAPTATIONS
necessary
•Install handrails in stairs
•Use a non-skid bath/shower mat
•Use a non-skid shower chair
•Avoid large clothes
Other
Interventions
•Use adequate shoes

12. Nursing Interventions
•Medication review and modification;
Exercises
Environmental
Adaptations
•Managing visual problems;
•Providing education and training;
•Reducing the number of medications,
particularly those that contribute to postural
hypotension or sedation
OTHER
INTERVENTIONS

13. CONCLUSION
Identify risk
factors
Implement an
Individual Risk
Assessment
Effective
interventions
INJURY PREVENTION IS AN IMPORTANT GOAL IN
POPULATIONS AT HIGH RISK FOR FALLS

14. REFERENCES
• National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. (2008). Preventing Falls: How to Develop Communitybased Fall Prevention Programs for Older Adults. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
•National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2013) Falls: assessment and prevention of falls in older
people. NICE clinical guideline 161
•Réseau francophone de prévention des traumatismes et de promotion de la sécurité (2005) Good
Practise Guide: Prevention of falls in the elderly living at home. France, Éditions Inpes
•Todd C, Skelton D. (2004) What are the main risk factors for falls among older people and what are the
most effective interventions to prevent these falls? Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe
•World Health Organisation. (2007) WHO global report on falls prevention in older age.