How Could We Prevent the Threatening of Falls to the Elderly?
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Published
May 26, 2024
Abstract
Falls among the elderly population can have serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. To prevent such incidents, a multi-faceted approach must be implemented within the healthcare system. Firstly, healthcare providers should conduct routine screenings for fall risk factors, such as muscle weakness and balance issues, during regular check-ups. Additionally, implementing regular exercise programs that focus on improving strength and balance can help reduce the likelihood of falls. Assessing and modifying the home environment to remove potential hazards, such as uneven flooring or inadequate lighting, is also crucial in preventing falls. Furthermore, educating both the elderly individuals and their caregivers about fall prevention strategies is essential. By combining these efforts with proper medication management and regular vision checks, we can effectively decrease the threat of falls among the elderly population and improve their overall quality of life.
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Keywords
Falls, Elderly, Prevention, Strategies, Quality of Life
References
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2. Moncada LVV, Mire LG. Preventing falls in older persons. Am Fam Physician 2017; 96(4):240-247.
3. Pynoos J, Steinman BA, Nguyen AQ. Environmental assessment and modification as fall-prevention strategies for older adults. Clin Geriatr Med 2010; 26(4):633-644. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cger.2010.07.001
4. Sadaqa M, Németh Z, Makai A, Prémusz V, Hock M. Effectiveness of exercise interventions on fall prevention in ambulatory community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review with narrative synthesis. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1209319. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1209319
5. Michalcova J, Vasut K, Airaksinen M, Bielakova K. Inclusion of medication-related fall risk in fall risk assessment tool in geriatric care units. BMC Geriatr 2020; 20(1):454. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-020-01845-9
6. Zhou S, Jia B, Kong J, Zhang X, Lei L, Tao Z, Ma L, Xiang Q, Zhou Y, Cui Y. Drug-induced fall risk in older patients: A pharmacovigilance study of FDA adverse event reporting system database. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1044744. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.1044744
7. Xing L, Bao Y, Wang B, Shi M, Wei Y, Huang X, Dai Y, Shi H, Gai X, Luo Q, Yin Y, Qin D. Falls caused by balance disorders in the elderly with multiple systems involved: Pathogenic mechanisms and treatment strategies. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1128092. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2023.1128092
8. Appeadu MK, Bordoni B. Falls and Fall Prevention in Older Adults. [Updated 2023 Jun 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560761/
9. Almeida AS, Paguia A, Neves AP. Nursing interventions to empower family caregivers to manage the risk of falling in older adults: A scoping review. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2024; 21(3):246. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21030246
10. Institute of Medicine (US) Division of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Berg RL, Cassells JS, editors. The second fifty years: promoting health and preventing disability. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1992. 15, Falls in Older Persons: Risk Factors and Prevention. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK235613/
11. Maresova P, Krejcar O, Maskuriy R, Bakar NAA, Selamat A, Truhlarova Z, Horak J, Joukl M, Vítkova L. Challenges and opportunity in mobility among older adults - Key determinant identification. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23(1):447. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04106-7
12. Chen XP, Wang LJ, Chang XQ, Wang K, Wang HF, Ni M, Niu WX, Zhang M. Tai Chi and yoga for improving balance on one leg: A neuroimaging and biomechanics study. Front Neurol 2021; 12:746599. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2021.746599
13. Bruce J, Ralhan S, Sheridan R, Westacott K, Withers E, Finnegan S, Davison J, Martin FC, Lamb SE; PreFIT Intervention (MFFP) Group; PreFIT Study Group. The design and development of a complex multifactorial falls assessment intervention for falls prevention: The Prevention of Falls Injury Trial (PreFIT). BMC Geriatr 2017; 17(1):116. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-017-0492-6
14. Zeytinoglu M, Wroblewski KE, Vokes TJ, Huisingh-Scheetz M, Hawkley LC, Huang ES. Association of loneliness with falls: A study of older us adults using the national social life, health, and aging project. Gerontol Geriatr Med 2021; 7:2333721421989217. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2333721421989217
15. Pin S, Spini D. Impact of falling on social participation and social support trajectories in a middle-aged and elderly European sample. SSM Popul Health 2016; 2:382-389. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2016.05.004
16. Sherrington C, Fairhall NJ, Wallbank GK, Tiedemann A, Michaleff ZA, Howard K, Clemson L, Hopewell S, Lamb SE. Exercise for preventing falls in older people living in the community. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019; 1(1):CD012424. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012424.pub2
2. Moncada LVV, Mire LG. Preventing falls in older persons. Am Fam Physician 2017; 96(4):240-247.
3. Pynoos J, Steinman BA, Nguyen AQ. Environmental assessment and modification as fall-prevention strategies for older adults. Clin Geriatr Med 2010; 26(4):633-644. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cger.2010.07.001
4. Sadaqa M, Németh Z, Makai A, Prémusz V, Hock M. Effectiveness of exercise interventions on fall prevention in ambulatory community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review with narrative synthesis. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1209319. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1209319
5. Michalcova J, Vasut K, Airaksinen M, Bielakova K. Inclusion of medication-related fall risk in fall risk assessment tool in geriatric care units. BMC Geriatr 2020; 20(1):454. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-020-01845-9
6. Zhou S, Jia B, Kong J, Zhang X, Lei L, Tao Z, Ma L, Xiang Q, Zhou Y, Cui Y. Drug-induced fall risk in older patients: A pharmacovigilance study of FDA adverse event reporting system database. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1044744. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.1044744
7. Xing L, Bao Y, Wang B, Shi M, Wei Y, Huang X, Dai Y, Shi H, Gai X, Luo Q, Yin Y, Qin D. Falls caused by balance disorders in the elderly with multiple systems involved: Pathogenic mechanisms and treatment strategies. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1128092. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2023.1128092
8. Appeadu MK, Bordoni B. Falls and Fall Prevention in Older Adults. [Updated 2023 Jun 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560761/
9. Almeida AS, Paguia A, Neves AP. Nursing interventions to empower family caregivers to manage the risk of falling in older adults: A scoping review. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2024; 21(3):246. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21030246
10. Institute of Medicine (US) Division of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Berg RL, Cassells JS, editors. The second fifty years: promoting health and preventing disability. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1992. 15, Falls in Older Persons: Risk Factors and Prevention. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK235613/
11. Maresova P, Krejcar O, Maskuriy R, Bakar NAA, Selamat A, Truhlarova Z, Horak J, Joukl M, Vítkova L. Challenges and opportunity in mobility among older adults - Key determinant identification. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23(1):447. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04106-7
12. Chen XP, Wang LJ, Chang XQ, Wang K, Wang HF, Ni M, Niu WX, Zhang M. Tai Chi and yoga for improving balance on one leg: A neuroimaging and biomechanics study. Front Neurol 2021; 12:746599. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2021.746599
13. Bruce J, Ralhan S, Sheridan R, Westacott K, Withers E, Finnegan S, Davison J, Martin FC, Lamb SE; PreFIT Intervention (MFFP) Group; PreFIT Study Group. The design and development of a complex multifactorial falls assessment intervention for falls prevention: The Prevention of Falls Injury Trial (PreFIT). BMC Geriatr 2017; 17(1):116. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-017-0492-6
14. Zeytinoglu M, Wroblewski KE, Vokes TJ, Huisingh-Scheetz M, Hawkley LC, Huang ES. Association of loneliness with falls: A study of older us adults using the national social life, health, and aging project. Gerontol Geriatr Med 2021; 7:2333721421989217. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2333721421989217
15. Pin S, Spini D. Impact of falling on social participation and social support trajectories in a middle-aged and elderly European sample. SSM Popul Health 2016; 2:382-389. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2016.05.004
16. Sherrington C, Fairhall NJ, Wallbank GK, Tiedemann A, Michaleff ZA, Howard K, Clemson L, Hopewell S, Lamb SE. Exercise for preventing falls in older people living in the community. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019; 1(1):CD012424. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012424.pub2
How to Cite
Sonobe, H. (2024). How Could We Prevent the Threatening of Falls to the Elderly?. Science Insights, 44(5), 1353–1355. https://doi.org/10.15354/si.24.co190
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