RT Book, Section
A1 Kane, Robert L.
A1 Ouslander, Joseph G.
A1 Resnick, Barbara
A1 Malone, Michael L.
SR Print(0)
ID 1149536415
T1 Falls
T2 Essentials of Clinical Geriatrics, 8e
YR 2017
FD 2017
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781259860515
LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1149536415
RD 2024/04/18
AB Falls  are  a  major  cause  of  morbidity  and  mortality  in  the  geriatric  population.  Close  to  one-third  of  those  aged  65  years  and  older  living  at  home  suffer  a  fall  each  year.  Among  nursing  home  residents,  as  many  as  half  suffer  a  fall  each  year;  10%  to  25%  cause  serious  injuries.  Accidents  are  the  fourth  leading  cause  of  death  in  persons  older  than  age  65,  and  falls  account  for  two-thirds  of  these  accidental  deaths.  Of  deaths  from  falls  in  the  United  States,  more  than  70%  occur  in  those  older  than  age  65.  Fear  of  falling  can  adversely  affect  older  persons’  functional  status  and  overall  quality  of  life.  An  injurious  fall  sets  off  a  chain  of  events  including  emergency  department  care,  hospitalization,  surgical  intervention,  and  prolonged  immobility.  Repeated  falls  and  consequent  injuries  can  be  important  factors  in  the  decision  to  institutionalize  an  older  person.