Discussion of fall prevention approaches with older adult patients

Source: Preventive Medicine Reports, 2018, Vol 9 p. 149-152

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Date of publication: March 2018

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults. The American and British Geriatric Societies recommend a fall risk assessment to identify risk factors and guide interventions to prevent these falls. This study describes the self-reported discussion of fall prevention approaches used by primary care providers (PCPs) who treat older adults. Self-reported discussion of any fall prevention approaches was 89.3%. Controlling for provider and practice characteristics, there were significant differences by provider type. Fall prevention suggestions vary by type of PCP. Dissemination of geriatric guidelines should include all PCPs who routinely see older adults.

Length of publication: 3 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

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Impaired perceived timing of falls in the elderly

Source: Gait & Posture, 2018, Vol 59 p. 40-45

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Date of publication: January 2018

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths and hospitalizations, with older adults at an increased risk. As humans age, physical changes and health conditions make falls more likely. The body reflexively responds to prevent injury during a fall, though little is known of the perception of this response. Younger and older people were compared for their perceptions of time during a fall: older people’s fall perception was found to be nearly twice as slow. It is possible that such age-related differences in fall perception may relate to increased falls rates in older adults.

Length of publication: 5 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Strategies to prevent falls and injuries among older adults

Source: Nursing Clinics of North America, 2017, Volume 52 no 3 p. 489-497

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Date of publication: September 2017

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Falls in older adults are the leading cause of injuries, and community-dwelling older adults should have an annual fall risk screening/assessment. This article looks at both clinical and community-based strategies from several different evidence-based programs to raise awareness in older adults in the community about falls, about increasing strength and balance, and to address the fear of falling.

Length of publication: 8 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Can peer education improve beliefs, knowledge, motivation and intention to engage in falls prevention amongst community-dwelling older adults?

Source: European Journal of Ageing

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Date of publication:

 Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of delivering a contemporary peer-led falls prevention education presentation on community-dwelling older adults’ beliefs, knowledge, motivation and intention to engage in falls prevention strategies.

 Length of publication: 13 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

 

Falls in older adults

Source: Medicine 

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Date of publication: 24th November 2016

 Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This article is a concise reference that reviews the most recent evidence and covers the medical competencies on falls outlined in the Curriculum for General Internal Medicine (Acute) of the Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

 

Adaptive gait responses to an impending fall during treadmill walking

Source: Gait and Posture, 2016, online

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Date of publication: September 2016

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Humans have been shown to adapt their gait when aware of potential slip risks when walking, though it is unknown if these adaptations also happen on a treadmill. This study sought investigate this possibility. It found that humans do adapt their gait when aware of possible risks compared to normal walking, by taking shorter steps and flattening their feet on impact, as well as repositioning their body centre. This could provide insights into dynamic stability control when individuals anticipate potential slip risk when treadmill walking.

Length of publication: 23 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Risk factors for falls in people with lower limb amputation

Source: PM&R, 2016, online

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Date of publication: July 2016

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This systematic review looked at the evidence connecting risk factors to falls in adults with a lower limb amputation. Risk factors include muscle weakness, increasing age, prescription medications and comorbidities. Risk factors specifically for amputees included reduced vibration sense. It found that falls are common from the time of amputation to years later in the community. Risk factors vary across care settings which has implications for safety and fall prevention strategies.

Length of publication: 1 page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Patient perceptions with falls during hospitalization and after discharge

Source: Applied Nursing Research, 2016, Vol 31 p. 79-85

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Date of publication: August 2016

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This study aims to describe the perceptions of hospitalised older people around their falls risk and fall prevention strategies received while hospitalised, and any instructions they received to prevent possible falls after discharge.

Length of publication: 6 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Using dollhouses to teach falls prevention

Source: CBC News

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Date of publication: 30th November 2015

Publication type: News article

In a nutshell: Dollhouses teach children to watch for hazards in the home in the hope the word passes to grandparents.

Length of publication: One page

 

 

 

Physios and OTs promote falls prevention

Source: Chartered Society of Physiotherapists

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Date of publication: November 2015

Publication type: Website

In a nutshell: Physio and occupational therapy staff teamed up at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust to provide general awareness of falls and factors that can reduce risk of falls. Patients, relatives and hospital visitors received CSP and Age UK leaflets, explaining how to ‘fall-proof’ a home and improve strength and balance through exercising, and in addition, staff checked walking aids and, where necessary, changed the ferrules, or rubber caps, on the ends of walking aids.

Length of publication: 1 page

Factors contributing to falls in older adults and nursing implications

Source: Geriatric Nursing, 2015, online

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: September 2015

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Falls are a common cause of serious injury and death in the older adult population, associated with multiple risks such as age, history of falls, impaired mobility, balance and gait problems, and medications. Sensory and environmental factors as well as the fear of falling may also increase the risk of falls. This article reviews current best practice on screening fall risks and fear of falling, fall prevention strategies, and fall prevention resources to assist gerontological nurses in reducing falls by their older adult clients.

Length of publication: 10 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.