Assessment of risk of falls and internal risk factors in elderly patients who need heart pacemarkers

Abstract. The aim is to assess the frequency of falls and intrinsic fall risk factors in patients requiring pacemakers. Methodology. The research was conducted from November 2020 to February 2021. Participated patients were hospitalized at the LUHS hospital Kauno Klinikos Department of Cardiology and required heart pacemaker implantation. Total 82 patients participated in the study. The questionnaire was composed by the authors of the research. The study was obtained by the Bioethics Permit of the Medical Academy of LUHS (No. BEC-SL (B) -42). Results. Almost half of the patients fell (45.1%) at least once a year. Elderly patients (65 years and older) are more likely to experience falls than patients under 65 years of age p=0,006. Elderly patients are more often exposed to various internal risk factors of falls: urination at night (82,9 %), weakness (82,9 %), dizziness (76,8 %). Perceived decreased leg muscle strength was found in both women and men (69.6% and 52.8%, respectively, p = 0.002). Patients older than 65 years and therefore <65 years experienced leg pain (54,9% and 7,2%, respectively, p = 0.002), urination at night (68,4% and 14,6%, respectively, p = 0.009), and experienced fatigue (63,0% and 13,6%, p = 0.028). Conclusions. Almost half of the patients who were in need of heart pacemaker implantation experienced falls. ≥ 65 years old patients experienced falls more than once a year. It has been found that these patients often experience weakness, fatigue, and dizziness. A common intrinsic fall risk factor is urination at night. ≥ 65 years old patients have more internal falls risk factors than patients under 65 years old.

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Practices of caregivers when evaluating the risk of falls in the admission of older adults to nursing homes

Dementia & Neuropsychologia ◽

10.1590/1980-57642020dn14-040008 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 379-386

Author(s):

Cristina Lavareda Baixinho ◽

Maria dos Anjos Dixe

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Nursing Homes ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Complex Problem ◽

Cognitive State ◽

Training Experience ◽

Professional Activities ◽

Fall Risk Factors ◽

Risk Of Falls

ABSTRACT. Falls are a complex problem for the older population residing in nursing homes. Despite recommendations, many difficulties remain in the evaluation of and systematic information on fall risk factors. Objectives: To build and validate the Scale for Practices of Identification of and Information on Fall Risk Factors in the Admission of Older Adults; to describe the practices of professionals in identifying and providing information on fall risk factors in the admission of older adults; and to associate these practices with the training, experience, and age of the caretakers. Methods: This is a methodological study. Based on a literature review, we analyzed the contexts, consulted specialists, selected indicators, and designed the scale, which was evaluated by experts. The process included a pre-test, reformulation, application, and validation. Results: The response rate was 65.52%. The validated scale has 13 items and 2 dimensions: risk factor evaluation practices and information practices; it presents good psychometric properties (α=0.913) to evaluate the risk of falls in the admission of older adults. Conclusions: Caregivers who received training during professional activities had better practices as to the provision of information to older adults about the risk of falls. The risk associated with gait and balance changes is more significant compared to the cognitive state.

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Effects of vertical and side-alternating vibration training on fall risk factors and bone turnover in older people at risk of falls

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afu136 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 115-122 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

H. Corrie ◽

K. Brooke-Wavell ◽

N. J. Mansfield ◽

A. Cowley ◽

R. Morris ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

At Risk ◽

Bone Turnover ◽

Older People ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Fall Risk Factors ◽

Risk Of Falls ◽

Vibration Training

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Fall risk factors in elderly patients with cognitive impairment on rehabilitation wards

Geriatrics and Gerontology International ◽

10.1111/j.1447-0594.2008.00506.x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 41-46 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Michael Vassallo ◽

Santhosh Kumar Mallela ◽

Andrew Williams ◽

Joseph Kwan ◽

Steve Allen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Elderly Patients ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Fall Risk Factors

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The Effect of Aquatic Exercise and Education on Lowering Fall Risk in Older Adults With Hip Osteoarthritis

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.18.3.245 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 245-260 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Cathy M. Arnold ◽

Robert A. Faulkner

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Functional Performance ◽

Control Period ◽

Hip Osteoarthritis ◽

Aquatic Exercise ◽

Fall Risk Factor ◽

Fall Risk Factors ◽

And Control

Objective:To evaluate the effect of aquatic exercise and education on fall risk factors in older adults with hip osteoarthritis (OA).Method:Seventy-nine adults, 65 years of age or older with hip OA and at least 1 fall risk factor, were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: aquatics and education (AE; aquatic exercise twice a wk with once-a-wk group education), aquatics only (A; 2 wk aquatic exercise) and control (C; usual activity). Balance, falls efficacy, dual-task function, functional performance (chair stands), and walking performance were measured pre- and postintervention or control period.Results:There was a significant improvement in fall risk factors (full-factorial MANCOVA, baseline values as covariates;p= .038); AE improved in falls efficacy compared with C and in functional performance compared with A and C.Conclusion:The combination of aquatic exercise and education was effective in improving fall risk factors in older adults with arthritis.

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Impact of Fall-Related Behaviors as Risk Factors for Falls Among the Elderly Patients With Dementia in a Geriatric Facility in Japan

American Journal of Alzheimer s Disease & Other Dementias® ◽

10.1177/1533317512454706 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 27 (6) ◽

pp. 439-446 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Mizue Suzuki ◽

Sadami Kurata ◽

Emiko Yamamoto ◽

Kumiko Makino ◽

Masao Kanamori

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Elderly Patients ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Mini Mental State Examination ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

The Elderly ◽

Logistic Analysis ◽

Fall Risk Factors ◽

Risk Factors For Falls ◽

State Examination

The purpose of this study was to clarify potential fall-related behaviors as fall risk factors that may predict the potential for falls among the elderly patients with dementia at a geriatric facility in Japan. This study was conducted from April 2008 to May 2009. A baseline study was conducted in April 2008 to evaluate Mini-Mental State Examination, Physical Self-Maintenance Scale, fall-related behaviors, and other factors. For statistical analysis, paired t test and logistic analysis were used to compare each item between fallers and nonfallers. A total of 135 participants were followed up for 1 year; 50 participants (37.04%) fell during that period. Results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the total score for fall-related behaviors was significantly related to falls. It was suggested that 11 fall-related behaviors may be effective indicators to predict falls among the elderly patients with dementia.

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127 Older Adults' Knowledge and Perceptions of Falls: A Mixed Methods Study

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afz164.127 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽

pp. iv28-iv33

Author(s):

Cheah Ping Ng ◽

Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh ◽

Maw Pin Tan ◽

Saravana Kumar

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Fall Prevention ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Limited Information ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Fall Risk Factors ◽

Global Issue ◽

Risk Of Falls

Abstract Introduction Falls is a global issue due to its devastating consequences and costs associated with fall injuries in older adults. There is limited information regarding knowledge and perceptions about falls among older individuals in Malaysia. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and perceptions of falls among older adults. Methods A total of twenty-five (n=25) community dwelling older adults were invited to participate in this study (age range 61-83, median=73). Focus group discussions were conducted to explore older adults’ perceptions on falls, while the Fall Risk Assessment Questionnaire (FRAQ) was used to assess their knowledge on falls. Results Three themes emerged from the qualitative data, which were ‘Ageing and its association with falls’, ‘Reactions to a fall’ and ‘Knowledge of fall interventions’. The quantitative results showed that more than half of the participants considered themselves at the risk of falls (n=15, 60%). Older adults had better knowledge on behavioral and environmental (percentage of errors: 19.4%; 35.2%) compared to medical and medication related fall risk factors (percentage of errors: 55.2%; 57.33%). Discussion Older adults had both positive and negative views on ageing and falls. Some of the fall prevention strategies highlighted were in line with evidence-based recommendations. However, majority exhibit fall prevention behaviors that were largely based on their personal experiences. Older adults lacked the knowledge on medical related fall risk factors as these require understanding of various medical conditions and the related medications. Conclusion Education intervention emphasizing on ageing, medical and medication related fall risk factors should now be evaluated.

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Changes in Physical Therapy Providers' Use of Fall Prevention Strategies Following a Multicomponent Behavioral Change Intervention

Physical Therapy ◽

10.1093/ptj/85.5.394 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 85 (5) ◽

pp. 394-403 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Cynthia J Brown ◽

Margaret Gottschalk ◽

Peter H Van Ness ◽

Richard H Fortinsky ◽

Mary E Tinetti

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Physical Therapy ◽

Fall Prevention ◽

Behavioral Change ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Fall Risk Factor ◽

Practice Behaviors ◽

Fall Risk Factors ◽

Reduction Strategies

Abstract Background and Purpose. An abundance of evidence suggests that interventions targeting fall risk factors are effective; however, it remains unknown whether, or to what extent, this body of evidence has affected the clinical practice of physical therapy providers. The purposes of this study were: (1) to describe knowledge of, and attitudes toward, fall risk factors and fall reduction strategies; (2) to assess self-reported use of fall reduction strategies with patients; and (3) to identify factors associated with increased use of fall reduction strategies with patients among physical therapy providers exposed to a behavioral change strategy. Subjects and Methods. A cross-sectional survey of physical therapy providers from hospital-based and freestanding outpatient physical therapy facilities throughout north-central Connecticut was conducted between October 2002 and April 2003. The participants were 94 physical therapy providers who had been exposed to the Connecticut Collaboration for Fall Prevention (CCFP) behavioral change effort. The CCFP program uses multicomponent professional behavioral change strategies to embed fall risk factor assessment and management, based on evidence from randomized controlled trials, into the clinical care of older patients. A telephone questionnaire—focusing on fall risk factor knowledge and attitudes and self-reported fall risk factor assessment and management practices before and after exposure to the CCFP efforts—was administered to consenting physical therapy providers. Results. Environmental hazards and gait and balance deficits were named as fall risk factors by 86 (91%) and 73 (78%) participants, respectively. All of the targeted risk factors were mentioned by at least 30% of the participants. Sixty-four participants (68%) reported increased fall reduction practice behaviors. The area of multiple medications was noted most frequently, with 77 participants (82%) noting new practices related to medication use. Only knowledge of fall risk factors and pre-CCFP behaviors were associated with increased fall reduction practices. Discussion and Conclusion. Physical therapy providers reported an increase in practice behaviors in response to the multicomponent behavioral change strategy. Knowledge of fall risk factors was associated with increased fall reduction practice behaviors, most likely due to the focused nature of the education strategy.

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The Relationship Between Fear of Falling and Functional Fitness among Older Adults Living in Rest Home

10.35262/jiag.v16i1.5-10 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

H Tuna ◽

Ö Bozan ◽

B Gürpınar ◽

N İlçin

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Fear Of Falling ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Upper Body ◽

Functional Fitness ◽

Fall Risk Factors ◽

Rest Home ◽

History Of

Objective: This study aimed to report the fear of falling and assess its associations with several fall-related characteristics and functional fitness parameters among older adults living in the rest home. Methods: Seventy-eight older adults aged between 65-94 years were included in the study. History of falling and the number of risk factors for falling were recorded. Fear of falling was evaluated with The Falls Efficacy ScaleInternational. Functional fitness was assessed with Senior Fitness Test, including tests for the functional measurement of strength, flexibility, aerobic endurance and dynamic balance. Result: The mean age of participants was 78.46±7.16 years. There were correlations exist between fear of falling and number of fall risk factors, dynamic balance, upper body flexibility and aerobic endurance (p<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the parameters with the highest determinants of fear of falling were the dynamic balance and history of falling (p<0.05). Conclusions: In our study, history of falling, number of fall risk factors, flexibility for the upper body, aerobic endurance and dynamic balance were parameters related to fear of falling among older adults, but the most influential factors in fear of falling were dynamic balance and history of falling.

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