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Falls Among the Elderly
Strategic Plan
Statistics of Falls in the Elderly
Falls are one of the largest injury causing issues in the elderly population.
Ang, G. et al. (2020), states several statistics of falls, these include 1 in every 3 adults over the age of 65 will have at least one fall a year. Falls are the cause of 40% of injuries relating to death in the elderly and the cycle of falls goes as follows: A fall leads an individual to fear falling again; this fear can lead to the decrease in activity; the decrease in activity leads to muscle weakness and balance issues; which leads to lack of function; leading to another fall.
Falls in long-term care facilities are a huge issue. Especially if the resident obtains an injury leading to a break or hospitalization. Unfortunately, many of these falls are unpreventable. Since restraints have been removed from care of the elderly; residents with dementia may often forget what they are capable of.
Question
WITH PROPER PROTOCOL, AND DOCUMENTATION CAN A FORM OF RESTRAINT, SUCH AS A CHAIR ALARM, BE USED TO BENEFIT THE HEALTH AND DECREASE THE RISK OF FALL AMONG ELDERLY WITH DEMENTIA?
The Study
First a proposal would have to be brought to the attention of the state.
Secondly, the families would have to be willing to subject their loved ones to the study.
There would have to be specific protocols put in place such as, the patient would have to have dementia, they would have to have already had x amount of falls and interventions in place that were not working.
The families and staff would have to be educated on what restraints are acceptable. One that is considered a restraint, but also can gently remind a resident that they are not capable of walking is a chair alarm.
OUTCOME
The outcome would be easily measured by a reduction in the amount of falls a specific individual is having prior to a chair alarm vs post chair alarm.
These results would be shared with the provider, families and if desired specific paperwork/documentation could be set up to continue the use of this device.
BARRIERS
The number one barrier for this would be the state and CMS. These two organizations are against any type of restraint. They believe the individual is to make decisions on their own and the health care system just keeps them as safe as possible. However, family members of dementia patients who have a multitude of falls, just want them kept safe and if this means an alarm in their chair that will remind them and alert the nursing staff they are usually acceptant of this.
BREAKING BARRIERS
It is possible if a study was done on the dementia patient, the feelings of their families and this decreased the number of falls, bringing down their chances of injury; this type of restraint may be allowed.
Falls in the Elderly: A contemporary Health Epidemic? A Discussion Paper
“The purpose of this review is to investigate the causes and risks of falls in the elderly.” (Fountouki, et al. 2021, p. 1).
A systemic review of 20 articles on falls in the elderlymeeting a specific criteria were researched, Fountouki et al. (2021).
It was found that falls are dangerous for the elderly and implementing exercises for strength and balance help to decrease falls, Fountouki et al. (2021).
Prevention of pressure ulcers, malnutrition, poor oral health and falls in nursing homes: A focus group study with nurse aides, registered nurses and managers.
“To explore how nurse aides, registered nurses and managers in nursing homes experience working with the prevention of pressure ulcers, malnutrition, poor oral health and falls in general and according to the quality register Senior Alert care process.” (Neziraj, et al. 2021).
A qualitative study was done sampling nurse aides, registered nurses and nurse managers, Neziraj et al. (2021).
Continued
There were four themes that were established, one requires attention every day, requires a team to stay on top of these issues, many challenges will be presented and a strategy needs to be in place, Neziraj et al. (2021).
The conclusion to this study was these issues are ever changing and it takes an entire team doing their part and taking responsibility to keep these issues at a minimum, Neziraj et al. (2021).
Reference
Ang, G., Low, S. & How, C. (2020). Approach to Falls Among the Elderly in the Community. Singapore Medical Journal. Vol 61(3), 116-121. goi.org/10.11622/smedj.2020029
Cruz, A., Santana, S., Costa, C., Costa, L. & Ferraz, D. (2020). Prevalence of Falls in Frail Elderly Users of Ambulatory Assistive Devices: A comparative Study. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. Vol 15, No. 5, 510-514. Doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2019.1587016
Fountouki, A., Asimakopoulou, E. & Theofanidis, D. (2021). Falls in the Elderly: A Contemporary Health Epidemic? A Discussion Paper. Perioperative Nursing. Vol 10(3). Doi:10.5281/zenodo.5842156
References Continued
Neziraj, M., Andersson, M. Hellman, P., Axelsson, M. & Kumlien. (2021). Prevention of Pressure Ulcers, Malnutrition, Poor Oral Health and Falls in Nursing Homes: A Focus Group Study With Nurse Aides, Registered Nurses and Managers. International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances. Elsevier. Doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnsa.2021.100056