Question

risk for fall in elderly patients

identify the main risk factors and provide preventive measures examples on a risk of falls in the elderly patient

Answer 1

Ans) WHO definition of Fall: Event results in a person coming to rest inadvertently on the ground or floor or other lower level.

- The major risk factors for risk of fall identified are:

• muscle weakness

• impaired balance and gait,

• polypharmacy,

• history of previous falls.

• postural hypotension

Other risk factors include:

• advancing age,

• female gender,

• visual impairments,

• cognitive decline especially attention and executive dysfunction,

• environmental factors

Prevention of fall in elderly:

- Identify the vulnerable patients.

- Tag them as vulnerable patient with other color ID band.

- Instruct them to put up the side rails of bed & bed height low.

- Call bell within patient's reach.

- Keep all belongings within reach of patient.

- Anti- skidding mats.

- Avoid slippery floors.

- Identify Safety first Rule.