Good for the elderly
Normal changes associated with age, such as deteriorating vision or hearing, might increase your risk of falling. Illnesses and physical ailments might impair your ability to maintain your balance and strength. Poor lighting or carpets on the floor in your house might increase your chances of tripping or slipping.
These individuals’ ligaments and tendons become increasingly fragile as they get older.
A physically healthy older person might also suffer a fall as a result of a simple slip or by participating in a potentially dangerous activity. In many cases, it is not a single component but a mix of variables that contribute to a fall, blurring the distinction between physical, behavioral, and environmental risk factors in the process.
Take the Appropriate Precautions to Avoid Falls
Older adults are more likely to fall than younger ones because they may be suffering from balance issues and muscular weakening. There is a loss of eyesight. an ongoing medical problem such as heart disease, dementia, or low blood pressure (hypotension) that can cause dizziness and a short loss of awareness
Some of the causes of this include dehydration, aging circulatory systems, certain medical diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and cardiac issues, as well as some drugs used to manage high blood pressure. an issue with your inner ear – such as labyrinthitis or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) – a problem with your heart rate or rhythm
Falls, in turn, impair function by resulting in injury, activity limits, a fear of falling, and a loss of mobility, among other consequences. A large proportion of injuries in older people are caused by falling. Fractures of the hip, forearm, humerus, and pelvis are most commonly caused by the combined effects of falling and osteoporosis.
According to Mourey (2009), Post Fall Syndrome (also known as Psychomotor Regression Syndrome) is described as ″decompensation of the systems and mechanisms implicated in postural and walking automatisms.″ It manifests itself either insidiously as a result of an increase in frailty or brutally as a result of a trauma (fall) or an operation.
Slips, trips, and falls are frequently caused by spills, ice, snow, rain, loose mats, carpets, and stepladders, to name a few typical reasons. In addition, inadequate illumination and clutter can result in injuries such as sprains, strains, bruises, bumps, fractures, scratches, and cuts, amongst other ailments.
‘An 80-year-old frequently cannot withstand and recuperate from stress in the same way that a 20-year-old can,’ explains Cheng. Approximately 4.5 percent of senior patients (70 years and over) died as a result of a ground-level fall, compared to 1.5 percent of non-elderly patients, according to Cheng’s research.
Balance issues are among the most prevalent causes for which older persons seek medical attention from their doctors. Disturbances of the inner ear are frequently responsible for their occurrence. Vertigo, or the sensation that you or the objects around you are spinning, is a typical symptom of this condition.
Falls among the elderly occur most frequently in the following places: The majority of falls occur in the home, with 60% occurring there. Outside the house, in a community environment (such as when shopping or going along the street), and 10% at a health care institution such as a hospital, clinic, or nursing/rehabilitation facility are the most common causes of falls.
High Fall Risk – Administer High Fall Risk treatments in accordance with the protocol. A history of more than one fall during the previous six months prior to admission During his or her stay, the patient has undergone a slip and fall. According to procedure, the patient is considered to be at high risk of falling (e.g., seizure precautions)
A certified nursing assistant (CNA) was trained to do hourly rounds to address and record the components of purposeful rounding – the 5 Ps: pain, positioning, personal items, toilet, and prevention – in order to put this into practice.
Remember that older persons often fall as a result of a) a combination of risk factors that make them sensitive to falling, and b) a stumbling block or moment of weakness that causes the fall. The majority of fall risk factors are health-related, and they are associated with chronic medical problems or prescription drugs.
Falls are a legitimate source of concern for seniors since the effects may be disastrous in later life. While everyone has the potential to fall, they are significantly more at risk of falling and suffering a major injury. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the top cause of injury among seniors.
Illness or weakness are two more situations that might make it difficult for anyone to maintain their balance. It is for this reason that people of all ages are prone to falling in hospitals. However, older folks frequently have a variety of additional issues to contend with, which might impair their ability to remain on their feet.