6. The tipping point; preventing falls

In today’s episode, we return to Grace’s story, which began with a fall. Preventing the next fall is just as important as treating the consequences of the first. We look at why older adults fall, the major risk factors, and the strength of the evidence behind different interventions. Along the way, we discuss the key tests used to investigate falls and why they matter. Finally, we highlight the vital role of the multidisciplinary team in carrying out a comprehensive geriatric assessment, ensuring coordinated, patient-centred care that helps keep patients like Grace safe and independent.

Links:

‘Hip Fracture – the Cardiff approach’ on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH4P3rNfQEEswi7nEQQLTyyz7b2XVB4Ez

NICE Guidance Falls: ⁠https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng249⁠

Interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community. Cochrane Database. https://www.cochrane.org/evidence/CD005465_interventions-preventing-falls-older-people-care-facilities-and-hospitals

Falls and health status in elderly women following first eye cataract surgery: a randomised controlled trial. Harwood et al. Br J Ophth. 2005 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15615747/

A multicentre randomised controlled trial of day hospital-based falls prevention programme for a screened population of community-dwelling older people at high risk of falls. Age Ageing. 2010 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20823124/

Cost-effectiveness of a day hospital falls prevention programme for screened community-dwelling older people at high risk of falls. Irvine L et al. Age Ageing. 2010 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20833862/

Multifactorial assessment and targeted intervention forpreventing falls and injuries among older people in community and emergencycare settings: systematic review and meta-analysis. Gates et al. BMJ 2008. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18089892/

Screening and intervention to prevent falls and fractures in older people. Lamb et al. N Engl J Med. 2020;383(19):1848-1859. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2001500

Questions and suggestions? Email: Raihaan.Biju@wales.nhs.net