title: Preventing falls in your elderly patients.
abstract: An elderly patient who falls is at significant risk for disability or death. In this article, Dr Costa explains how a carefully taken history, detailed physical examination, and appropriate laboratory studies can help to discern the cause of a fall. He also describes a multifaceted approach to preventing falls in elderly patients that involves a partnership of the physician, the patient, and the family.
authors.affiliation: Family Practice Residency Program, Barberton Citizens Hospital, OH 44203.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Costa
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D010808:Physical Examination; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology