Each year, 30-40% of the elderly suffer from falls and, under certain conditions, that percentage can reach 50%, rendering it an important cause of injury as well as death. An elderly person who has a history of falls has a greater probability of suffering additional falls in the future.
The causes of a fall are often many and include functional impairments – e.g. some affliction, poor eyesight, side effects of medications or dehydration, external factors (environmental dangers) as well as circumstantial factors such as haste to reach a bathroom.
Individuals can progressively present problems in vision, in spatial perception, in motor power and in balance walking and standing. Additionally, many functional problems may be the result of side effects of medications, such as drops in blood pressure in patients taking antihypertensives or diuretics.
At our facility we place great emphasis on preventing falls. The building is well lit, with handles in the hallways, stairways and bathrooms, as well as non-slip floors. There is assistive equipment such as canes, crutches, walkers etc, which offer greater confidence to patients suffering from problems with balance.
The doctor monitors the medication regimen of each patient and alters it as necessary to avoid the serious complications a fall could cause. The nurses asses the stability of the elderly, and assist them in getting washed and dressed, while wherever necessary bed rails and discreet straps are used to avoid falls when resting.