Falls in the elderly: the profiles most at risk determined

A new study from the University of New York in the United States provides additional knowledge on the profile of the elderly most to risk of falling. In the magazine Geriatrics and Gerontology International, they draw up an interesting inventory of the characteristics of the falls and their victims. For this they looked at the profile of 712 patients, aged 55 and over. These participants had been hospitalized for falls, either indoors or outdoors.

It appears that outdoor fall victims tend to be male, of a younger age than indoor fall victims. The risk of head trauma and serious open wounds is greater.

For accidents occurring indoors, women with neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s are more often victims. Falls that often cause them fractures.

This new information could help to better target falls prevention initiatives, conclude the researchers.

Physical and psychological sequelae after a fall

Preventing the risk of falling appears to be an important issue for the health of the elderly. Hospitalizations and medical consultations for seniors are often caused by a fall, whether at home, on the stairs or outside. Not to mention that falls are the leading cause of death for people over 65.

Falls, regardless of their severity, always weaken the elderly. They represent an aggravating risk factor for the loss of autonomy. After the fall, victims may suffer from femoral neck fractures, and in the event of prolonged immobilization without treatment, phlebitis or pulmonary embolism. Psychological sequelae are often frequent (neurodegenerative disease for example).

A March study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society suggested that tai chi could be an effective activity to strengthen the muscles and prevent the risk of falls among seniors.

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