Falls prevention in the elderly: translating evidence into practice.
Falls are a common problem in the elderly. A common error in their management is that injury from the fall is treated, without finding its cause. Thus a proactive approach is important to screen for the likelihood of fall in the elderly. Fall assessment usually includes a focused history and a targeted examination. Timed up-and-go test can be performed quickly and is able to predict the likelihood of fall. Evidence-based fall prevention interventions include multi-component group or home-based exercises, participation in Tai Chi, environmental modifications, medication review, management of foot and footwear problems, vitamin D supplementation, and management of cardiovascular problems. If possible, these are best implemented in the form of multifactorial intervention. Bone health enhancement for residential care home residents and appropriate community patients, and prescription of hip protectors for residential care home residents are also recommended. Multifactorial intervention may also be useful in a hospital and residential care home setting. Use of physical restraints is not recommended for fall prevention.
Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Fung Yiu King Hospital, Hong Kong.
James K H
JK
Luk
Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, Yaumatei, Hong Kong.
T Y
TY
Chan
Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Ingham Institute; Aged Care & Rehab, Bankstown Hospital, Australia.
Daniel K Y
DK
Chan
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D015519:Bone Density; D004777:Environment; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control
Accidental Falls/prevention & control; Aged