Falls assessment

A fall is defined as an event which causes a person to, unintentionally, rest on the ground or lower level , and is not a result of a major intrinsic event ( such as stroke ) or overwhelming hazard.

How common -Falls and fall-related injuries -happen more often with advancing age Falls are not inevitable part of ageing Over 1/3rd of people over age 65 fall each year and the proportion increases to 50 % by age 80 Each year abut 30% to 40 % of people aged 65 yrs and older who live in the community fall Falls are neither purely accidental nor inevitable --> many falls are preventable About 30 % of falls result in injury that requires medical attention and with fractures occurring in approximately 10 % of falls.

Risk factors

Intrinsic -Increasing age Female gender Previous h/o falls Gait , balance and mobility issues Presence of chronic disorders e,g hypertension Visual impairment Higher levels of pain Women- urinary incontinence and frailty Men higher level of depressive symptoms ,older age and being unable to take the balance test Deficits in balance and muscle function Cognitive decline Medications used and number of medications for e.g beta-blockers

Extrinsic factors...