Falls Flashcards
Incidence of falls
30-60% older adults fall
Fall rate is 3 times higher for those in age care
2-12% patients in the hospital fall
Can cause discomfort and pain due to injury
Falls are associated
With delayed recovery immobility increased morbidity and death
It i increases cost
Risk factors
Behavioural
Intrinsic
Extrinsic
Intrinsic factors
Visual impairment Hearing impairment Increased risk in infections Diabetes Urinary frequency Decreased muscle tone Parkinson’s disease Fatigue Medication
Intrinsic risk factors
Delay in recovery
Chronic illness
Smoking
Mental illness
Extrinsic factors
Furniture Overall safety Trip hazards Stairways Assistive devices Poor lighting Clothing Temperature Hospitalisation for 19 days or more Time of day inadequate placements of rails
Behavioural factors
Reduced physical activity
Fear of falling
Personality traits
Hurrying when walking
Nursing assessment
Mobility patterns Risk factors Health behaviour Age related changes Safety of environment
Falls risk assessment
Assess risk but nor causes
When a person has multiple risk factors need to be done by interdisciplinary team
Assessing function
Functional assessment integral component of a holistic assessment
Promote wellness where function can be improved
Measures need to be taken to limit injury due to current loss of function
Functional assessment
A formal process of measuring a persons ability to fulfill responsibilities And perform self care tasks
Observe a persons awareness and adaptive behaviour in their environment
Areas of functional assessment are
Physical
Assessment of ADL
Physical
Bathing
Dressing
Mouth care
Dietary intake
Assessment of adl
Transfer/ mobilty
Bladder & bowel elimination
Sensory loss
Nursing interventions
Address all potential risks and develop a comprehensive multifactorial assessment and plan of care Education Exercise Incontinence management Medication review Syncope management Improving vision Home modifications Monitoring
