GERIATRIC SYNDROME OF FALL

WHO defines drops as "a result of any event that precipitates the patient down against your will." The falls result in elderly patients with high morbidity and mortality (88% of hip fracture). It´s, along with urinary incontinence, bedsores, paralysis, cognitive impairment, one of the major geriatric syndromes.

A fall is an interaction between risk factors, nursing should identify these risk factors valuing the elderly:

1. Geriatric Assessment:

a. Biomedical Assessment: history

b. Functional Rating: With rating scales as Barthel, Katz Index and scale of the Red Cross (valued ADLs). Also widely used WHO questionnaire for falls in the elderly.

c. Mental Evaluation: The mentally diseases are considered risk factors.

d. Social Assessment: important to assess their family unit, how is their home and their environment.

2. Physical Exploration:

a. Neurological exploration

b. Cognitive Impairment

c. Exploration of the different gadgets and degenerative diseases

3. Exploration of the organs

4. Exploration of balance and march

5. Register in the medical history the number of patient falls.

It´s important that nursing gets to the patient that falls are preventable, prevention and treatment, as they depend on both external and internal factors that can be modified to avoid the result of the fall.

We will teach the patient a health education promoting healthy habits, reducing the risks that may be around and teach them to know how to fall and rise.

Finally is equally important technical aid we can give them in certain situations such as: prevention in the bathroom, prevention when there is instability and especially prevent these falls in the home giving a correct light, avoid carpets, etc ...

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

-          Formiga F., Rivera A., Nolla J.M., Pujol R. Characteristics of falls producing hip fracture in an elderly population. Gerontology. 2004; 50:118-9.Pubmed

-          Formiga F., López-Soto A., Duaso E., Ruiz D., Chivite D., Pérez-Castejón J.M., et-al. Differences in the characteristics of elderly patients suffering from hip fracture due to falls according to place of residence. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2007; 8:533-7.Pubmed