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...
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…
