Abstract
Aim:
This article gives information about falls in the elderly.
Background:
The evaluation of an older patient who has fallen includes a focused history with an emphasis on medications, risk factors and physical examination. The article also discusses the aetiology and prevention of falls.
Conclusion:
Risk factors for falls in the elderly include increasing age, medication use, cognitive impairment and sensory deficits. To reduce the incidence of patient falls, clinicians and researchers have developed a variety of risk assessment tools to aid in the identification of patients at greater risk of falling.
MeSH terms
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Abbreviations as Topic
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Accidental Falls / economics
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Accidental Falls / mortality
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Accidental Falls / prevention & control*
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Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data
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Accidents, Home / prevention & control
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Activities of Daily Living
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Age Distribution
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Aged* / physiology
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Aged* / psychology
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Aged* / statistics & numerical data
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Cost of Illness
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Geriatric Assessment / methods*
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Geriatric Nursing
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Humans
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Incidence
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Interior Design and Furnishings
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Medical History Taking
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Mobility Limitation
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Nursing Assessment / methods*
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Physical Examination / methods
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Physical Examination / nursing
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Primary Prevention
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Risk Assessment / methods*
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Risk Factors
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Safety Management / methods*