Citation

Taylor-Piliae RE, Peterson R, Mohler MJ. Nurs. Clin. North Am. 2017; 52(3): 489-497.

Affiliation

Arizona Center on Aging, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, 1807 East Elm Street, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA; Division of Geriatrics, General Internal Medicine, and Palliative Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 295 N. Martin Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.cnur.2017.04.004

PMID

28779828

Abstract

Falls in older adults are the result of several risk factors across biological and behavioral aspects of the person, along with environmental factors. Falls can trigger a downward spiral in activities of daily living, independence, and overall health outcomes. Clinicians who care for older adults should screen them annually for falls. A multifactorial comprehensive clinical fall assessment coupled with tailored interventions can result in a dramatic public health impact, while improving older adult quality of life. For community-dwelling older adults, effective fall prevention has the potential to reduce serious fall-related injuries, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, institutionalization, and functional decline.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Accident prevention; Accidental fall; Aged; Geriatric assessment; Injury; Risk factors