Life Expectancy After Fall in Elderly

Many older people lose their independence following a fall. They may fear falling again and restrict their activity. This can lead to poor health and an increased need for care.

Using prospectively registered falls and adjusted Cox models, we obtained age-specific incidence curves of death varying by fall severity. We also obtained hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals by fall occurrence.





Risk Factors

Unintentional falls in the elderly are an important health risk. The number of fall injuries requiring medical attention and resulting in death has increased globally in recent years. Falls in healthy and functionally impaired elderly people are often related to overt environmental hazards or risk-taking activities involving mobility, such as climbing ladders, hurrying or running. Falls in frail and elderly people with multiple comorbidities, such as gait problems and polypharmacy (taking more than five medications at a time), are usually associated with higher mortality rates.

The most serious falls involve ground-level injury. A new study has shown that people older than 70 who suffer ground-level falls are three times more likely to die compared to those under the age of 70. It is therefore essential to report any falls, even if they do not result in severe injuries, to doctors. This way, underlying conditions that increase fall risk can be identified and treated. Also, doctors can help prevent recurrent falls in people who have already fallen.

Symptoms

When someone falls, even if they are not severely hurt, it can signal a new or serious problem that must be evaluated and treated. For example, a fall can be a warning sign of an impending heart attack or stroke. It can also indicate that the person is suffering from a medical condition such as diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease that could make them more likely to fall.

The first step is to get a full physical exam. A doctor will listen to the person’s heartbeat with a stethoscope, check their blood pressure while sitting and standing up, and assess muscle strength and balance. In some cases, a doctor may want to do blood tests and check electrolyte levels because low sodium can contribute to falls in the elderly. The doctor will also ask about the person’s medications to see if any of them might increase their risk of falling. This includes over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs such as diuretics that are used to treat high blood pressure.

Diagnosis

Despite the fact that people are living longer in China, the risk of severe injury and death from a fall is still high. In fact, a recent study found that patients over the age of 70 who suffered from ground-level falls were three times more likely to die than their younger counterparts.

This is a major health care issue, especially for emergency departments, where many elderly people visit after a fall. Often, doctors are unaware of these falls because the routine history and physical exam do not include a fall evaluation. In addition, some older adults are reluctant to report falling because they believe that it is a normal part of aging.

personal alarms for seniors The evaluation of a patient who has fallen includes a focused history with emphasis on medications and a directed physical examination. Afterward, the treatment is aimed at the underlying disorder that may have contributed to the fall. For example, potentially harmful medications are either stopped or their dose is reduced.

Treatment

A fall in an elderly person is not only a frightening experience, but it can also be life threatening. The risk of death from a fall in an older adult has increased over the past few years, especially with people who live alone. This is largely due to more people living longer.





The first thing that needs to be done when a senior falls is to assess for injuries. This includes checking for broken bones, sprained ligaments, and head trauma. If the person can get up on their own, they should be encouraged to do so. If they cannot, they should be helped to a chair or bed.

Treatment should focus on preventing future falls, and this can be achieved by removing barriers, improving lighting conditions, and changing the way that drugs are used. In addition, it is important to make sure that the elderly are not taking any medications that may increase their chances of falling.