Notes

Consequences of Falls in the Elderly
Often, older adults are reluctant to tell their doctor about falling because they think that it is just part of aging. However, reporting falls may help doctors uncover treatable causes of falls.

Seniors who fall and break their hips are more likely to die than those who do not suffer from this injury. Falls can also have a number of psychological consequences for elderly people.
personal alarms for elderly Loss of independence

Elderly adults who fall frequently experience a significant loss of independence. After a serious fall, the elderly are often hospitalized and require in-home care to help with everyday tasks. In some cases, they will need to move to a nursing home and may lose the ability to drive. Many seniors report fear of falling again, which causes them to avoid social activities and limit their mobility.

A recurrent fall can lead to a long road of recovery and can result in major injuries such as hip fractures. This leads to a loss of independence and can cause an elderly person to feel depressed and lonely.

To prevent a fall, have your loved ones undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation with an emphasis on the patient's falls history and environment. A review of medications is also important to check for side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness. Elderly people should also participate in evidence-based programs that work to increase strength and balance.
Behavioral changes

The consequences of unintentional falls in the elderly have far-reaching social and physical effects. Many of them are life threatening, leading to premature death. A recent study conducted at the Emergency Department of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan showed that mortality caused by unintentional falls in the elderly has increased over time.

Older people are at the highest risk of dying or having serious injuries from falls because they experience changes in their physical, sensory and cognitive abilities with ageing, in combination with an environment that is not adapted to older persons. Many of these risk factors can be modified, such as avoiding environmental hazards (eg, throw rugs or clutter) and taking medications that affect balance and gait.

However, many older people do not report a fall because they feel that it is a normal part of the aging process or fear being restricted in their activities or placed into a nursing home. This is why a history and physical examination that includes a specific assessment for falls is vital.
Pain and discomfort

Falls in elderly patients present a significant challenge for health care providers. They are a common cause of injury and in-hospitalization. Falls can result in hip fractures and other serious injuries that require extensive hospitalization and have long-term consequences.

The psychological sequelae of a fall are also significant. Older people may become fearful of falling and stop activities that increase their mobility. They can experience depression and decreased quality of life after a fall.

When an older person falls, the first thing to do is to stay calm and assess whether they are injured. They should not try to get up right away, as this can make the injury worse. If they can, they should call for help. Remaining on the floor for more than two hours after a fall increases the risk of dehydration, pressure ulcers and rhabdomyolysis. Getting up too soon can also be dangerous as it increases the risk of further falls.
Depression


Many elderly fallers experience depression as a result of their injuries. This results in an even higher fear of falling and a reduced ability to move around independently. In fact, a person in this condition is more likely to have multiple falls and experience a worse outcome from those falls than someone who does not fall.

Depression can also lead to a decreased appetite and lack of motivation to be physically active. This can lead to a loss of strength and the use of sedatives and other drugs, all of which increase the risk of falls.

Fortunately, there are things that can be done to lower a person’s risk of falling. One such way is to encourage them to do more physical activity on a regular basis. This can include activities like tai chi, which improve balance and gives people a better sense of body awareness. Also, making sure that the home environment is safe and free of clutter, throw rugs, or other hazards can help.

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