Analyzing the Elderly Falls

Elderly Falls

With the help of a thorough clinical evaluation, the risk factors, risks associated with falling and working out adequate intervention methods to curb the rate of elderly falls can be achieved. As per the 2011 AGS / BGS guidelines, (Panel on Fall, 2011) certain particulars need to be incorporated in a particular clinical evaluation: 1: Patient history, physical examination, mental and physical functionality; 2: Number of falls occurring, number of medications taken; issues regarding mobility, balance and gait; blurred eyesight; various mental disabilities; weak muscular strength; uneven heartbeat and rhythm; postural hypotension; problems in feet and risks related to environment (Shubert, 2014).

Strategies to Prevent Elderly Falls and Health Related Consequences

Assistive Devices and Other Protective Equipment: Appropriate footwear is required for particular conditions, for instance, wintery weather necessitates anti-slip shoes whilst warmer weather requires cleated footwear, facilitating decreased falls (Panel on Fall, 2011).

Clinical Disease Management (Acute and Chronic Illness): Using competitive medical methods to manage illnesses, such as cardiovascular disorders, hypotension and visual problems have shown to cut-down the rate of falls (Gillespie et al., 2009). Due to subsistence of myriad chronic ailments, more than one drug is consumed, directly counteracting any effects, furthering the rate of falls.

Education: Healthcare professionals as well as elderly individuals should be involved in counter-falling measures in order to decrease falling instances and further prevention strategies, which include exercise regimes and medical equipment usage (Panel on Fall, 2011).

Environmental Modification: In case of elderly individuals afflicted with physical falling issues and mobility/sensory issues, they should be evaluated by a healthcare expert within environmental capacity for facilitating modifications in conjunction with multifactorial intervention. This intervention should take in consideration numerous risks regarding environmental falls in home-space, along with evaluation of daily movement to minimize damage and promote safe locomotion (Panel on Fall, 2011). As per meta-analysis and systematic review, 39% and 21% of elderly falls were cut-down after implementing environmental modifications (Clemson, Mackenzie, Ballinger & Close, 2008). More so, occupational therapists can also play a pivotal role in decreasing elderly falls by using environmental modification.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Each Strategy

Strategy

Strength

Weakness

Assistive Equipment and Protection Devices

Creating mass awareness among masses regarding protective measures against physical falls and injuries.

Enable a positive image of interventions while publicizing them in order to inculcate mass awareness.

Design and devise methods of social activities amongst older individuals.

The intervention used is especially intended for alleviating a certain health affliction by taking in consideration preferences, needs and capabilities of a person.

Promote self-help and assistive activities as opposed to reliance on healthcare professionals (Shubert, 2014).

Devices used for preventing elderly falls can be bought at a price. As a result, the cost factor can become a hindrance (Gillespie et al., 2009).

Clinical Disease Management

The method evaluates causes and proposes recommendations to decrease future falling cases.

Many causes can be associated to falling. As a result, medical expenditures can be heightened (Scott et al., 2011; Clemson et al., 2008).

Education

There is credible evidence to support the bettered outcomes by implementation of planned out actions and strategies. On the other hand, certain researches struggle to show credible improvements (Gillespie et al., 2009).

Many professionals have myriad of inconclusive results as of yet, most complaining about extra work / handling, waiting time and little results to speak of.

The clinics have concluded less elderly patients having falling issues visiting them (Shubert, 2014).

Environmental Modification

The plan eliminates the surrounding space from hazardous objects that might contribute to falling/tripping of an elderly individual, which can cause a short-term/long-term injury.

The results regarding home hazard modification are still uncertain. As a result, it cannot be concluded as a viable method for intervening in case of elderly subjects falling (Scott et al., 2011).

Stakeholder Whom to Go for Information

Strategy

Stakeholder

Assistive Devices and Other Protective Equipment

The relevant body should be sought out in case of the healthcare required by elderly individuals. For this case, protective equipment and assistive devices can be sought out from domestic healthcare professional, for residential case, a consultant can be sought as well as a senior service provider and public health professional (Shubert, 2014).

Clinical Disease Management

Public health professionals, healthcare professionals, senior service providers and healthcare specialists along with nutritionists.

Education

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is tasked with ensuring, preventing and controlling the spread of diseases and physical wounds by using elements of innovation, partnership, leadership and action in their endeavors. Making Canada an active nation is a national responsibility. As a result, cutting losses through health injuries will certainly become a stepping stone. For PHAC, the prime focus has remained sorting out elderly health at federal level. Personnel involved in ensuring elderly health include: senior service providers, emergency medical service professionals, public healthcare professionals and healthcare experts (Shubert, 2014).