Abstract
Close to one-third of Americans aged 65 years and older living at home and more than half of residents living at nursing homes suffer a fall each year. Similar to many other conditions in the geriatric population, factors that can contribute to falls are multiple, and, very often, more than one of these factors play an important role. Understanding the pathophysiology behind the multiple conditions that predispose to falls is useful for accurately assessing and managing elder fallers. Gait and balance abnormalities influence the ability of individuals to react to environmental and/or organic causes of falls. Questioning patients about falls and observing their gait are important tools for assessment. Depending on the patient's setting different interventions may help reduce fall rate and injury. Specifically, exercise has been proven to be useful in decreasing falls. This chapter summarizes the evidence on clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for instability and falls.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Pathy's Principles and Practice of Geriatric Medicine |
Subtitle of host publication | Fifth Edition |
Publisher | John Wiley and Sons |
Pages | 1091-1110 |
Number of pages | 20 |
Volume | 2 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780470683934 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 12 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Balance
- Dizziness
- Drop attack
- Drugs
- Exercise
- Falls
- Gait
- Home hazards
- Instability
- Syncope
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine