Nurses Know! - Fall Prevention in Older Adults

By: Candice Williamson RN


Fall Prevention in Older Adults
Have you or anyone you know ever fallen? Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury and death in older adults in this country (Mauk 2006).
The risk of falling increases with age and is greater for women than for men. Although no single risk factor causes all falls, the greater the number of risk factors an individual is exposed to, the greater the probability of a fall and the more likely the results of the fall will threaten the person’s independence.


Five key risk factors of falls among older adults include:
1. Osteoporosis
2. Lack of physical activity
3. Impaired vision
4. Medications
5. Environmental hazards

Many of these risk factors are preventable. A lack of knowledge about these risk factors, and how to prevent them, contributes to falls. Balance and strengthening exercises, home safety modifications, and eliminating high-risk medications have been the focus of fall-risk prevention strategies.


Prevention tips for the five key risk factors listed above include:
1. Eat or drink sufficient calcium
2. Regular exercise designed to increase muscle and bone strength, such as walking or swimming.
3. Have regular checkups by an opthamologist and make sure eyewear is clean.
4. Know the common side effects of medications taken, remove all out-of-date medications, have your primary health care provider review all current medications, and limit alcohol intake as it may interact with medications.
5. Keep walk areas clear of clutter, avoid throw rugs, add non skid mats to bathtubs, and keep all commonly used items within easy reach.

References
Mauk, Kristen L. (2006). Gerontological Nursing: Competencies for care. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Notes: This blog post reflects the work of Candice Williamson RN (pictured above) with minor editing by Shirley Comer RN, and was completed as a class assignment. The information in this blog is for informational purposes only. Before beginning or changing a treatment or lifestyle regime you should consult your primary health care provider.