NUR131: Elderly Falls – Risk Factors and Educational Intervention

This research project investigates the significant issue of falls among elderly individuals, a growing concern given the aging global population. The study employed a literature review methodology, utilizing databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar, to gather data on the risk factors associated with falls and potential preventative measures. The research question focused on the effectiveness of educational interventions in mitigating fall risks. The project analyzed ten selected articles, identifying key risk factors and exploring evidence-based strategies, particularly the role of awareness and education in reducing falls. The findings highlight the multifactorial nature of falls, while emphasizing the potential for reducing fall rates through targeted interventions. The project concludes by underscoring the importance of evidence-based approaches in addressing this critical health concern.

High Risk of Falls in Elderly People
Introduction
Elderly people are at a high risk of falls and consequent
injuries. Elderly people makeup a significant number in
the population and their numbers are constantly
increasing. A recent survey conducted showed that
approximately 30% of individuals aged above 65 years
fall annually. The rate increases with an increase in age.
A fall results in high rates of mortality and morbidity,
social and financial cost to cater for medical bills and
emotional and physical trauma to the individual. It is
therefore important to analyse the factors that result in
falls and an prevention measures that can be taken. The
research question for this study is, ‘Is educational
intervention effective in reducing the risk factors that
result in falls among the elderly people .
Methods
A literature review was conducted in order to obtain data.
Articles were obtained through searching in various
healthcare databases like PubMed, CINAHL, PLoS and
Google scholar. Various keywords were used to refine
the search. An exclusion inclusion criteria was used in
this study. The search strategy in Table 1 below was
used. Articles were retrieved and analysed. Table 1
Author/Authors
University of the Sunshine Coast
Results
Both qualitative and quantitative
research articles were used. A total of
10 articles were selected. According to
Table 2, there are two major risk factors
Discussion
The results obtained show that there
are many prevailing factors that result
in falls. Evidence based research has
shown that simple strategies such as
creating awareness can help to reduce
the risk of falling
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several factors
which contribute to falls among adults.
However, through evidence based
approaches, it is possible to reduce the
rate of falls.
References
Abdelhafiz, A.H., Rodríguez-Mañas, L., Morley, J.E. and Sinclair, A.J., (2015). Hypoglycemia in
older people-a less well recognized risk factor for frailty. Aging and disease, 6(2), p.156.
Bandeen-Roche, K., Seplaki, C.L., Huang, J., Buta, B., Kalyani, R.R., Varadhan, R., Xue, Q.L.,
Walston, J.D. and Kasper, J.D., (2015). Frailty in older adults: a nationally representative profile
in the United States. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 70(11), pp.1427-1434.
Bergen, G., 2016. Falls and fall injuries among adults aged≥ 65 years—United States, (2014).
MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 65.
Chang, V.C. and Do, M.T., (2015). Risk factors for falls among seniors: implications of gender.
American journal of epidemiology, 181(7), pp.521-531.
Florence, C.S., Bergen, G., Atherly, A., Burns, E., Stevens, J. and Drake, C., (2018). Medical
costs of fatal and nonfatal falls in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 66(4),
pp.693-698.
Gale, C.R., Cooper, C. and Aihie Sayer, A., (2016). Prevalence and risk factors for falls in older
men and women: The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Age and ageing, 45(6), pp.789-794.
Kojima, G. (2015). Frailty as a predictor of future falls among community-dwelling older people: a
systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association,
16(12), 1027-1033.
McPhee, J.S., French, D.P., Jackson, D., Nazroo, J., Pendleton, N. and Degens, H., (2016).
Physical activity in older age: perspectives for healthy ageing and frailty. Biogerontology, 17(3),
pp.567-580.
Mirelman, A., Rochester, L., Maidan, I., Del Din, S., Alcock, L., Nieuwhof, F., Rikkert, M.O.,
Bloem, B.R., Pelosin, E., Avanzino, L. and Abbruzzese, G., (2016). Addition of a non-immersive
virtual reality component to treadmill training to reduce fall risk in older adults (V-TIME): a
randomised controlled trial. The Lancet, 388(10050), pp.1170-1182.
Sherrington, C., Michaleff, Z.A., Fairhall, N., Paul, S.S., Tiedemann, A., Whitney, J., Cumming,
R.G., Herbert, R.D., Close, J.C. and Lord, S.R., (2017). Exercise to prevent falls in older adults:
an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med, 51(24), pp.1750-1758.
van Schooten, K.S., Pijnappels, M., Rispens, S.M., Elders, P.J., Lips, P. and van Dieën, J.H.,
(2015). Ambulatory fall-risk assessment: amount and quality of daily-life gait predict falls in older
adults. Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biomedical Sciences and Medical Sciences, 70(5),
pp.608-615.
Young, W.R. and Williams, A.M., (2015). How fear of falling can increase fall-risk in older adults:
applying psychological theory to practical observations. Gait & posture, 41(1), pp.7-12.
Problem High risk of falls
Intervention Education
intervention
Comparison Improving
healthcare
services
Outcome Reduced rate of
falls
Intrinsic
factors
Extrinsic
factors
Medical
history, age,
gender,
ethnicity,
medicines,
sedentary
behaviour etc
Footwear,
clothing,
inappropriate
assistive
devices and
slippery floors