Elderly Falls
With the help of a thorough clinical evaluation, the risk factors, risks associated with falling and working out adequate intervention methods to curb the rate of elderly falls can be achieved. As per the 2011 AGS / BGS guidelines, (Panel on Fall, 2011) certain particulars need to be incorporated in a particular clinical evaluation: 1: Patient history, physical examination, mental and physical functionality; 2: Number of falls occurring, number of medications taken; issues regarding mobility, balance and gait; blurred eyesight; various mental disabilities; weak muscular strength; uneven heartbeat and rhythm; postural hypotension; problems in feet and risks related to environment (Shubert, 2014).
Strategies to Prevent Elderly Falls and Health Related Consequences
Assistive Devices and Other Protective Equipment: Appropriate footwear is required for particular conditions, for instance, wintery weather necessitates anti-slip shoes whilst warmer weather requires cleated footwear, facilitating decreased falls (Panel on Fall, 2011).
Clinical Disease Management (Acute and Chronic Illness): Using competitive medical methods to manage illnesses, such as cardiovascular disorders, hypotension and visual problems have shown to cut-down the rate of falls (Gillespie et al., 2009). Due to subsistence of myriad chronic ailments, more than one drug is consumed, directly counteracting any effects, furthering the rate of falls.
Education: Healthcare professionals as well as elderly individuals should be involved in counter-falling measures in order to decrease falling instances and further prevention strategies, which include exercise regimes and medical equipment usage (Panel on Fall, 2011).
Environmental Modification: In case of elderly individuals afflicted with physical falling issues and mobility/sensory issues, they should be evaluated by a healthcare expert within...
Elderly and their Risk of Depression Until just recently geriatric depression was not regarded as a medical diagnosis, however, with the elderly suicide rate being the highest in the country it has now come to the forefront of medical research. There are numerous reasons for depression in anyone, at any age, but it seems to plague the elderly at a much higher rate. This is due to a variety of
Reduce Patient Falls in a Hospital Environment Method of Obtaining Necessary Approval(s) Description of Current Problem Explanation of Proposed Solution Implementing Change Resources Required for Implementation Risk and quality management is a fundamental and important aspect to many health care organizations and patient lives are often at stake. This is especially true in nursing facilities or hospitals that house elderly patients because of the level of direct patient interactions that occur on a daily basis
Falls THE ISSUE OF ACCIDENTAL FALLS At some point, anyone who had learned how to walk has had the experience of falling down -- it is a universal experience for infants as they gain ambulatory ability. In hospitals, however, the accidental fall is the most reported type of patient safety incident, with elderly patient populations displaying a particular vulnerability (Oliver 2007, p.173). Approximately one-third of adults over the age of sixty-five will
Falls in Nursing Homes, Are They Preventable Preventing falls in nursing homes Falls are quite common in the homes of the elderly with around one hand a half falls for each nursing-home bed-years. Although most falls are not fatal, 10% to 20% lead to admissions in hospitals and fractures. It is, therefore, important that care providers in these homes cut down the falls and the rate of fall-related dangers. Interventions have succeeded
Reducing Falls on the Surgical Step Down Unit Introduction The problem of falls in acute care hospitals is one that continues to persist in spite of the existing literature available on this topic (Zhao et al., 2018). Hester, Tsai, Rettiganti and Mitchell (2016) note that inpatient falls account for the largest number of reported incidents in hospitals. One reason for the problem is that hospitals fail to implement proper and effective preventive
In this regard, Sheve adds that, "For these people, assisted living may be the answer. Assisted living facilities fill a gap between complete independence and around-the-clock care. It's an option for those who are 'mostly abled' and who still want (and can safely live with) a high degree of freedom and independence" (para. 4). Not surprisingly, the continuum of care required for the elderly is closely associated with the
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now