Preventing Falls in the Home
Published: 27 August 2023
Published: 27 August 2023
Most falls are preventable.
In order to minimise falls in the home, it is important for healthcare staff to provide appropriate education to vulnerable clients and implement falls prevention strategies in the home where possible (Roo et al. 2015).
Also read: Managing Falls Risk After Discharge
Generally, falls occur due to a combination of both intrinsic (personal) and extrinsic (environmental) factors. The more risk factors that are present, the more likely the patient is to fall (Clay et al. 2018). Some common risk factors include:
Intrinsic risk factors | Extrinsic risk factors |
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(Clay et al. 2018; ACSQHC 2009; Canadian Patient Safety Institute 2015)
Changes to the body due to the normal ageing process can worsen existing risk factors or cause new ones to arise. Inadequate physical fitness, nutrition or hydration, and illnesses or other conditions may compound this risk further (Healthdirect 2021).
Older adults are 12 times more likely to fall than have a motor vehicle or pedestrian accident (Better Health Channel 2022). Falls are the biggest cause of unintentional injury in older adults over 65, accounting for about 75% of injury-related hospitalisations (Healthdirect 2021; Roo et al. 2015).
Overall, about one-third of older adults fall every year, with one in five of these incidents resulting in hospitalisation (Healthdirect 2021).
Risk factors for falls associated with age include:
(Healthdirect 2021; Better Health Channel 2022)
Even in cases where an injury does not occur, the person may develop a fear of falling that reduces their confidence and independence. This, in turn, only increases their risk of falling again in the future, as reduced physical activity can lead to poor balance, muscle weakness and stiff joints (Rubenstein 2022; Healthdirect 2021).
Falls can lead to a variety of physical, emotional, social, short-term and long-term consequences, including:
(Rubenstein 2022; Better Health Channel 2022; Healthdirect 2021)
About two-thirds of falls occur inside the home, most commonly in outdoor areas, bathrooms, bedrooms and kitchens. Falls are more likely to occur while the person is mobilising, for example, getting out of bed, going to the toilet or using a staircase (Rubenstein 2022; Stathakis et al. 2015).
Managing falls risk requires a multifactorial approach that addresses the person’s modifiable risk factors (Clay et al. 2018).
Using a validated falls risk assessment tool, vulnerable clients should be identified and appropriate interventions should be put into place. It is likely that multiple solutions will need to be implemented in order to target several individual risk factors (Clay et al. 2018).
The following strategies may help clients minimise different risk factors around the home:
Lighting |
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Slipping |
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Tripping |
|
Outside Areas |
|
Health |
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Sensory impairment |
|
(Healthdirect 2021; Better Health Channel 2022; Canadian Patient Safety Institute 2015; Rubenstein 2022; Mayo Clinic 2019)
Clients should be informed about what to do if they are alone when a fall occurs. Remaining on the floor for a long period of time can be highly distressing and lead to complications such as:
(Rubenstein 2022)
Appropriate education should advise the client on how to get up on their own or call for help. Knowing how to manage a fall may also help to reduce fear of falling, as the client will be more confident in their ability to cope with a fall situation (Rubenstein 2022).
The specific advice given should be based on the client’s physical capacity.
The client should be advised to:
(Better Health Channel 2022)
The client should be advised to:
(Better Health Channel 2022)
Falls in the home can result in functional decline, reduced quality of life, loss of independence and in severe cases, even death (Rubenstein 2022).
Addressing and managing potential risk factors in the home is essential in preventing falls and their associated complications, and ensuring clients are able to maintain their confidence and independence.
Question 1 of 3
Approximately what percentage of older adults fall every year?