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Falls in the elderly.

G F Fuller1

  • 1White House Medical Clinic, Washington, DC 20502-0041, USA.

American Family Physician
|April 25, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Falls are a major cause of emergency room visits and accidental deaths in older adults, increasing with age. Prompt outpatient evaluation and treatment of underlying causes can help restore function and prevent future falls.

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Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Public Health
  • Injury Prevention

Background:

  • Falls are the leading cause of injury-related emergency department visits and accidental deaths in individuals over 65.
  • Mortality rates from falls escalate with age, accounting for 70% of accidental deaths in those 75 and older.
  • Falls are indicative of declining health and function, frequently leading to significant morbidity, including over 90% of hip fractures in those over 70.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the significant public health impact of falls in the elderly population.
  • To identify key risk factors associated with falls in older adults.
  • To outline the standard outpatient evaluation and treatment approaches for elderly fall patients.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiological data on fall-related injuries and mortality in the elderly.
  • Identification of common risk factors including age, medication, cognitive, and sensory deficits.
  • Description of outpatient assessment protocols involving history, physical examination, and functional tests.

Main Results:

  • Falls affect one-third of community-dwelling elderly and 60% of nursing home residents annually.
  • Key risk factors identified include advanced age, polypharmacy, cognitive impairment, and sensory deficits.
  • Falls are strongly linked to hip fractures and other severe injuries in the elderly population.

Conclusions:

  • Falls represent a critical health issue for the aging population, necessitating targeted interventions.
  • Comprehensive outpatient evaluation is crucial for identifying modifiable risk factors.
  • Effective treatment addressing the root causes of falls can improve patient function and reduce future fall incidence.

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