Safe Haven: Headed for a fall: Who's at risk?
SUE KIMBELL RN, FNP, MSN

$3.95 		LPN2009
February 2005 
Volume 1  Number 1
Pages 9 - 10
 
  PDF Version Available!

ABSTRACT
Outline

  • Get going

  • Timing is everything

  • Getting a fix on fall risk

  • Lose the clutter

  • Safe…not sorry

  • On the Web

  • Selected references



    Graphics

  • Figure. No caption a...

    FALLS ARE A serious health threat to people age 65 years and older: Over one-third of people in this age-group fall each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 2001, more than 1.6 million older adults were treated in emergency departments for fall-related injuries; of those, nearly 388,000 were hospitalized. Also in 2001, 11,600 people age 65 years and older died from fall-related injuries.

    These numbers clearly show the importance of knowing how to help identify patients who are at risk of falling and taking appropriate steps to reduce their risk. According to one study, about half of all falls involving older adults result from accidents related to their environment—tripping hazards, lack of stair railings or grab bars, slippery surfaces, unstable furniture, and poor lighting. The other half are a consequence of physical factors, such as leg weakness, poor balance, and adverse effects of being on multiple drugs or psychoactive medications.

    Let's look at a couple of ways to assess your patients.

    Get going

    The “Get Up and Go” test is an assessment tool that can be used in most settings to identify ambulatory patients at risk of falling. To use the test, follow these steps:

    * Have your patient sit in a straight-backed chair. Does he sit up straight, slump, or lean to one side?

    * Ask the patient to stand. Does he make it up in one smooth motion on the first try, or does it take a couple of tries? Does he need to use his arms to push himself up?

    * Next, ask the patient to stand as still as he can with his eyes open. Then have him ...

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