Conceptualizing a dynamic fall risk model including intrinsic risks and exposures

Source: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 2017, Online

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Date of publication: September 2017

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Falls are a major cause of injury and disability in older people, and can lead to various health and social consequences. Accurately understanding and identifying a person’s fall risk is needed to design and provide individual prevention measures, but current fall-risk models are weak compared to risk models for other specialities. Current models, for example, consider risk factors to be stable over time, not reflecting real-life experience. This study therefore posits a dynamic fall-risk model linking time and context. This may lead to the development of new fall prevention interventions.

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.

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.

An integrative review of pediatric fall risk assessment tools

Source: Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 2017, online

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Date of publication: March 2017

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Patient fall prevention begins with accurate risk assessment. However, sustained improvements in prevention and quality of care include use of validated fall risk assessment tools (FRATs) to identify patients at highest risk. Adult FRATs are often used to create tools for pediatric patients. However, adult FRATs do not adequately assess risk in children, and pediatric FRATs have not been found to be reliable and valid across institutions and diverse populations. This review highlights the importance of choosing a FRAT based on an institution’s identified risk factors and validating the tool for one’s own patient population.

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.

Preoperative Falls Predict Postoperative Falls, Functional Decline, and Surgical Complications

Source: EBioMedicine, 2016, online

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Date of publication: August 2016

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Falls are common and linked to morbidity. This study’s objectives were to characterize postoperative falls, and determine whether preoperative falls independently predicted postoperative falls (primary outcome), functional dependence, quality of life, complications, and readmission. It concluded that falls are common after surgery, and preoperative falls herald postoperative falls and other adverse outcomes. A history of preoperative falls should be routinely ascertained.

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.

Body mass index, falls, and injurious falls among U.S. adults

Source: Preventive Medicine, 2016, Vol 91 p. 217-223

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Date of publication: October 2016

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Falls are an important health concern because they are associated with loss of independence and disability, particularly among women. This study determined the age- and sex-specific prevalence of injurious falls among adults in the United States and examined the impact of obesity on fall risk. Not only are mid-life women at high risk for falls, but the class II/III obesity is a risk factor for injurious falls. Targeting mid-life women for fall and injury prevention is an important aim for practitioners, particularly given unique correlates of falling for this group.

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.

Preventing falls for a person with dementia

Source: Crisis Prevention Institute

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Date of publication: July 2016

Publication type: Website

In a nutshell: Falls are a danger to a person with dementia, and a cause of alarm to family and professional caregivers. Wherever the person lives, and no matter what stage of dementia the person is living with, falls must—and can—be prevented due to their high-risk status and the difficulty associated with recovery. Evidence indicates that multifactorial approaches are beneficial. Collaborating with an occupational therapist (OT) trained in dementia care is essential, as they will discover the client’s cognitive level and focus on remaining abilities, as well as task modification, environmental adaptation and enhanced communication.

Length of publication: 1 page

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.

Anxiety disorders and falls among older adults

Source: Journal of Affective Disorders, 2016, Vol 205 p. 20-27

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Date of publication: November 2016

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This study aimed to determine associations between anxiety disorders and falls in older adults. Examination of this association suggested differential relationships between the genders. In men, lifetime anxiety disorder was associated with falling and with EFST score. In women, an association between lifetime anxiety disorder and falls was explained by psychotropic medication use, poor mobility and socioeconomic status. Although anxiety disorders were independently associated with a 3-fold increase in likelihood of reported falls and high falls risk among men, an independent association was not detected among women. These results may aid in prevention of falls through specific interventions aimed at reducing anxiety, particularly in men.

Length of publication: 7 Pages

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