title: Falls, osteoporosis and atrial fibrillation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Poly-morbidity is the hallmark of the frail elderly. The traditional model of treating each disease on its own merit does not work for this patient group.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article outlines the assessment, investigations and management of falls and atrial fibrillation in the elderly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The challenge for the general practitioner lies in weighing up the potential benefits and harms of the 'curative' approach against those of the 'palliative' approach. The key concern should always be the patient's desired quality of life. Forgoing largely unproven 'medical heroics' in favour of supportive services in association with available community resources helps to maintain the patient's independence and dignity.
authors.affiliation: Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria. jp.sturmberg@bigpond.com
authors.forename: Joachim P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Sturmberg
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome