Falls in the Elderly

Falls in the Elderly Miryoung Lee, MPH Dept. of Epidemiology University of Pittsburgh

Learning Objectives • Identify the scope of the problem e.g. impact of falls in the elderly • Describe the contributing factors for falls • Address fall prevention, and intervention programs

Performance Objectives • Understand the seriousness of problems and contributing factors of falls, and fractures • Develop effective strategies to prevent falls

Introduction Falls • Unintentional injuries • External causes of the injury • Multifactorial causes e.g. falls due to intrinsic factors vs. extrinsic factors

How serious is the problem of falls?

Per person annually Community 0.2 - 0.8 Hospital 0.6 - 2.9 Long term- 0.2 - 3.6 Care (per bed) Incidence rates of Falls in U.S. One of every three adults over 65 years fall in every year

Where are people likely to fall? For people 65 years old or older….. Nursing Home 10% Home 60% Public Places 30%

Consequences of Falls • Mortality • Morbidity • Fractures • Soft tissue injuries • Head trauma • Joint distortions and dislocations • Loss of confidence - fear of falling • Restricted activity • In 1994, estimated fall-related injury cost was $20.2 billion.

Unintentional Fall Death Rates by Gender, Age 65 +, U.S. 1996 Source:National Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics

Unintentional Fall Age-Adjusted Death Rates, Age 65 +, gender and race U.S. White, Men Black, Men White, Women Black, Women Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics

Fractures • 3% of all falls cause fractures. • Approx. 95% of hip fractures in older people aged over 65 years are the result of a fall • People who have a hip facture are 5 ~20% more likely to die in the first year following the injury than any other reason in the same age groups

Common Types of Fractures • Forearm (Wrist) Fracture • Spine Fracture • Hip Fracture (pelvis, hip, femur) • Ankle Fracture • Upper arm, forearms, hand

Rate of hospitalization for hip fractures, aged  65 years, 1996 Per 100,000 population Source: National Center for Health Statistics, CDC

Fear of Falling • Loss of self confidence • Decrease of physical activity level and quality of life • Fear of not being able to get up after a fall

Risk Factors Intrinsic (Personal) factors for Falls • Aged (over 65 years) • Female • Low mobility or fragility – lower extremity weakness, and poor grip strength • Functional impairments - limited Activities of Daily living (ADL) • Poor gait and balance • Low body weight

Cognitive impairment or dementia • Chronic illness - Parkinson disease, visual difficulties, stroke, hypertension, or urinary incontinence • Psychoactive medication - tranquilizers or antidepressants • Previous falls • Heavy drinking

Relative risk ratio (RR) or Odd Ratio (OR) of Fall J Am Geriatr Soc. 2001

Extrinsic or Environmental Factors • Polypharmacy – four or more prescription medications combination • Home hazards • Clutter, or loose rugs • Poor lighting on stairs and hallways • Lack of bathroom safety, e.g. grab bars in bathtub • Footwear • Busy street or elevated walkways

Mechanisms of Fall Contributing factors Intrinsic : Aging, poor balance Extrinsic : Home hazards Occurrence of falls No injuries Fall Outcomes Soft tissues injures, trauma Disability, reduced quality of life Fractures Loss of Confidence

Dimension of Fractures Force Bone Fragility Fall itself Source: National Osteoporosis Foundation

Fall itself • Loss of footing or loss of traction • Changes of reflex with age • Changes of muscle mass and body fat • Loss of muscle strength • Changes in vision and hearing • Chronic conditions with medications

Force and Direction of a Fall • Fall  400~ 500J of potential energy • Being tall is related to increased risk of hip fractures • How you land and on what surface increases risk of fracture

Fall directions and Hip Fracture Age adjusted OR; Schwartz et al. 1998

Fragile Bone • Osteoporosis, or brittle bones • Fall induced fractures Normal Bone Osteoporotic Bone Dempster et al., JBMR 1986

Prevention/Intervention Assessment of Risk • “Get-up and Go” Test (Mathias et al., 1986) • Check for balance, gait, and mobility • Review • Chronic medical conditions • Medications • Visions and hearing ability • Foot disabilities • Evaluate environmental hazards • Home hazards J Am Geriatr Soc. 2001

Personal Prevention • Home Safety – Reducing hazards • Check for Safety List(CDC) • Balance Exercise Lessen Fall impact – hip protectors • Healthy Life Style

Assistant Devices • Hip pads • Mobility aids • Cane • Walkers • Wheelchairs • Bathroom aids • Raised toilet seats • Grab bars

Intervention Programs • Exercise or physical therapy to increase/gain muscle strength, balance, and gait • Assessment of home fall hazards • Evaluation of medical condition, medications, and nutrition • Support groups

Community Intervention Example • The Frailty and Injuries:Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques (FICSIT) meta-analysis • Incorporated exercises study – seven studies • Intensive strength, endurance training, or balance training • Overall significant reduction of fall e.g. “Tai Chi C’uan” reduced the rate of falls during the 4 months follow up in women at moderate risk of falls. Province et al., 1995 JAMA

Nursing Home Intervention • Physical rehabilitation program • Staff education • Environmental assessments and modification • Reduce medications, or physical restraints

Conclusions • Falls, and related injuries, e.g. fractures are significant health hazards to the aging society. • Identifying fall risk factors help to evaluate the problems, and to plan personal, and community intervention strategy. • Intervention studies has mostly focused on white men and women, and on hip fractures outcomes.

Resources • CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control • National Resource Center on Aging and Injury • WHO –Ageing and Life Course • National Fire Protection Association • National Women’s Health Information Center • Elder Web • Additional Reading List

Falls in the Elderly