Defining Fall and Fall Risk Patient
A fall is an event that results in a person coming to rest inadvertently on the ground or floor or other lower level. Fall-related injuries are a serious public health problem, especially for older adults, who are more likely to fall and suffer severe consequences. According to the World Health Organization, falls are the second leading cause of accidental or unintentional injury deaths worldwide, accounting for an estimated 646,000 fatalities each year.
A fall risk patient is a person who has an increased likelihood of falling due to various factors, such as age, medical conditions, medications, environmental hazards, or cognitive impairment. Fall risk patients require special attention and care to prevent falls and reduce the harm they may cause. Some of the common interventions for fall risk patients include:
– Assessing their fall history, current health status, and medication use
– Educating them and their caregivers about fall prevention strategies and resources
– Providing them with assistive devices, such as walkers, canes, or grab bars
– Modifying their home environment to eliminate or minimize fall hazards
– Encouraging them to engage in physical activity and exercise to improve their balance, strength, and mobility
– Referring them to other health professionals, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, or podiatrists, for further evaluation and treatment
Fall prevention is a key component of quality care and patient safety. By identifying and addressing the risk factors for falls, health care providers can help fall risk patients maintain their independence and well-being.
Bibliography
– World Health Organization. Falls [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018 [cited 2023 Oct 30]. Available from:
– National Institute on Aging. Prevent Falls and Fractures [Internet]. Bethesda: National Institute on Aging; 2017 [cited 2023 Oct 30]. Available from:
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. STEADI – Older Adult Fall Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2020 [cited 2023 Oct 30]. Available from:
– Ambrose AF, Paul G, Hausdorff JM. Risk factors for falls among older adults: assignment help – write my nursing thesis a review of the literature. Maturitas. 2013 May;75(1):51–61.
– Gillespie LD, Robertson MC, Gillespie WJ, Sherrington C, Gates S, Clemson LM, et al. Interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2012 Sep;9:CD007146.
