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Assessment and management of fall risk in the elderly

Abstract:

Falls represent a frequent clinical problem in elderly care, resulting in significant injuries in approximately half of all cases, and corresponding to exorbitant medical costs each year along with a marked reduction of quality of life and their caretakers. Therefore, assessment and control of fall risk is fundamental in geriatric care, in particular because these patients tend to underestimate their probability of falling, which may heighten the net risk. Thus, a holistic approach is essential, considering the whole biopsychosocial conditions of each patient and their environment. A wide array of possible interventions is available, which may be adapted to particular requirements of each patient, for example, those with dementia. Emphasis is placed on the need for exploring the history of previous falls, medications review, a focalized physical exam, and functional and environmental assessments. Primary care personnel occupy a key position in this context, as they are readily able to screen for fall risk, initiate early pertinent interventions, and act as organizers of the appropriate interdisciplinary team. Thus, this article revises the current outlook on the evaluation and assessment of fall risk in the elderly.