About Falls

DEFINITION OF FALL

1. Falling is a clinical entity in its own right, most commonly due to the accumulated effect of multiple chronic disabilities and potentially is preventable if the causative factors are recognized in individual patients (Tinnetti, 1986)

   'A fall is a sudden, unintentional change in position causing an individual to land at a lower level, on an object, the floor, or the ground, other than as a consequence of a sudden onset of paralysis, epileptic seizure, or overwhelming external force.' Tinetti, M., Baker, D., Dutcher, J., Vincent, J., Rozett, R. 1997
   

2. CMS Definition of a Fall CMS RAI Version 2.0 Q & A's March 2001; Question 2-22
   The following scenarios should be reported as a fall:
   
   • Resident lost their balance, and was lowered to the floor by staff
     
   • Resident fell to the floor, but there was no injury
     
   • Resident was found on the floor, but the means by which he/she got to the floor was unwitnessed
     
   • Resident rolled off a mattress that was on the floor
     
   • A fall has occurred in the past 30 day and /or fell in the past 31 - 180 days

Facts of Senior Safe Falls and Older Adults

FALL FACTS

Falls are the leading cause of injury among individuals who are 65 years of age and older

Muscle weakness is the leading predictor of risk of falling (2003, HHS report)

Inactivity actually increases the risk of falling. CDC website, Aging in Stride.

Exercise that improves your lower body strength and balance reduces risk of falls and fall related injuries. CDC Toolkit: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/toolkit/summaryoffalls.htm (Judge 1993, Wolf 1996)

Over half of the falls take place right in the person's home.

Of those who fall, 20-30 percent suffer moderate to severe injuries that reduce mobility and independence, and increase the risk of premature death.

Each year one in three people age 65 experiences a fall serious enough to require medical attention.

Falls led to 1.8 million emergency visits in 2000 and more than 10,000 deaths

One third of the older adults who fall sustains a hip fracture, are hospitalized, die within one year. www.temple.edu/older_adult/fppmanual.html
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Falls are the primary reason for 40% of Long Term Care admissions. (Outcomes Manag Nurs Pract 3: 112-6, 1999.

By 2020, the estimated annual cost for fall related injuries for people age 65 and older is expected to reach $43.8 billion. http://www.healthyagingprograms.org/content.asp?sectionid=69

If 10% of adults began with a regular walking program, reduced heart disease would save 5.6 billion in medical costs. Best practices in Physical Activity.

Aging Services thanks 2010 Annual Sponsor Merwin LTC Pharmacy and our other sponsors for their support and partnership.