Hi-R-Ed Online

Learning Objectives

The Learning Objectives for this course are fairly straightforward. While we will assume you may have a basic knowledge of falls and fall prevention, we will enhance your knowledge with a more in-depth look at falls and the factors that can influence their occurrence.

The purpose of setting learning objectives at the beginning of the course is to set the framework and goals for the information that we will cover.

Once the course is completed you should be able to:

1.Describe at least two risk factors associated with falls and fall-related injuries in older adults. These risk factors are used in screening and assessment of risk for falls in the home and other settings.

2.Describe three types of practical assessment for the risk of falls. We will see that this type of assessment is important to determine the category and level of risk based on the most significant factors: altered gait and balance.

3.Discuss nursing and physical or occupational or other rehabilitation therapist roles in the evaluation, prevention, and treatment of falls. Most emphasis is placed on the prevention of falls. Once an older adult falls, we will see that providing intervention for the causes of the fall will be important to preventing another fall.

The definition of a “fall” varies widely. A fall usually includes the force of gravity and the impact of coming to rest. However, some definitions exclude falls to intermediate levels or areas, such as walls or furniture. Definitions may also vary according to the cause of the fall, including or excluding factors such as environmental hazards, external force, disease-related symptoms, medical events, or unknown reasons. Most definitions agree that a “fall” is involuntary or accidental and may require medical attention.

Falls and related injuries and costs are a major concern in the older adult population. The growing numbers of older adults makes the rehabilitation and prevention of falls and fall-related injuries an urgent matter for our health care system to address.

Falls are the most common cause of non-fatal injuries and the leading cause of hospital admissions and death in people 65 years and older[1] Falls are the second most common cause of nursing home admissions nationally, accounting for nearly 60,000 admissions each year. Another 1.8 million were treated for their falls in emergency rooms across the country. In 2003, nearly 14,000 people over 65 years of age died of injuries related to their falls (this is the most recent year for which falls statistics have been compiled).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one-third of adults above 65 years of age will fall each year. For those over 80 years of age, the incidence of falls rises to more than 50%. Nearly 30% of those who fall will suffer injuries severe enough to make their activities of daily living difficult to perform. And older adults are hospitalized for fall-related injuries five times more often than for other injuries.

Older adults who fall once are two to three times as likely to fall again within a year. CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) in Atlanta suggest that though falls are a common problem in older adults, “falls are not an inevitable part of aging” and that prevention is possible.