Falls in older people Flashcards
(13 cards)
Falls in older adults are most likely to result in which type of brain bleed?
Subdural haematoma
Define syncope.
Sudden, transient loss of consciousness due to reduced cerebral perfusion
What 2 times of day do most falls occur?
Afternoon + evening
Which acronym can be used to assess risk factors for falls in older adults?
D - drugs
A - age-related changes
M - medical conditions
E - environmental factors
Which acronym can be used to assess a patient following a fall to gain better understanding of the circumstances?
S - symptoms
P - previous falls
L - location
A - activity (what doing when fell)
T - time
T - trauma (injuries that need attention)
D - drug history
What is the diagnostic criteria for orthostatic hypotension?
A SBP drop of >20 mmHg and/or a DBP drop of >10 mmHg within 3 minutes of standing, with symptoms
What is the diagnostic criteria for post-prandial hypotension?
A SBP drop of >20 mmHg within 90 minutes after eating a meal
Which type of glasses increase the risk of falling?
Bifocals
Which 2 tests can be used to assess patients’ gait and balance following a fall?
Timed Up & Go test
Turn 180o test
Describe what is meant by a Timed Up & Go test.
Patient gets up from a chair without using their arms, walks 3 metres, turns around and returns to the chair
In a Timed Up & Go test, which value indicates increased risk of falling?
12 - 15 seconds or more
In a Turn 180o test, which value indicates increased risk of falling?
> 4 steps
Which 3 categories of patients should be offered a multifactorial falls risk assessment?
People aged >65 who:
- have had >2 falls in the last year
- present following a fall
- perform poorly on the Timed Up & Go and/or the Turn 180o test
