Introduction
The risk of falls is one of the most critical threats to older adults with chronic conditions and poor musculoskeletal control. The likelihood of falls is further elevated in geriatric patients due to functional and sensory changes. In addition, most home environments are not adequately set up, leading to tripping hazards and inconveniences. Ultimately, it is necessary to explore this topic by analyzing environmental factors, functional/sensory changes, and chronic conditions that are comorbid with falls in older adults.
Risks of Falls Among the Elderly
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors significantly increase the likelihood of falls in geriatric patients. Slippery floors, tripping hazards, and inconvenient placement of critical furniture are relevant issues in most homes (Ha et al., 2021). Hence, the three environmental safety measures include appropriate flooring, regular cleaning, and reorganization of furnishings. The former is particularly crucial because Ha et al. (2021) note that slippery floors account for approximately 51% of all falls among older adults. Ultimately, meticulous attention to environmental factors is essential to minimize the problem’s scope.
Mobility and Sensory Changes
Changes to mobility and senses are inevitable as people age. Regarding the former, older adults typically experience reduced range of motion, balance, and gait (Beck Jepsen et al., 2022). As a result of these three causes, geriatric patients are more likely to experience falls than younger people with fewer mobility restrictions. The same is true for sensory changes, as older adults frequently have impaired vision, tactile sense, and postural reflexes (Beck Jepsen et al., 2022). Hence, they are more likely not to see tripping hazards, not to sense environmental obstacles through touch, and to maintain their balance in the face of external forces.
Chronic Pain and Conditions
Consequently, chronic pain is a relevant factor in fall assessment. First, it reduces physical activity, which, in turn, leads to decreased musculoskeletal control (Ha et al., 2021). Secondly, it can significantly worsen older adults’ attention (Cai et al., 2021). Finally, chronic pain is frequently associated with comorbid conditions, some of which can invoke sudden and significant discomfort in geriatric individuals, causing them to fall (Cai et al., 2021). Based on these reasons, it is evident that chronic pain substantially elevates the risk of falls.
Nursing Interventions
Appropriate nursing interventions constitute the most effective approach to combat the examined problem. The first strategy is meticulous attention to environmental factors, as appointed nurses should ensure that home environments are free of tripping hazards (Ha et al., 2021). During this process, the nurses should also consider the patient’s functional and sensory changes to minimize the likelihood of falls further.
Secondly, it is appropriate to introduce supplementary physical exercises to improve functional mobility in adults, as gait and balance issues remain crucial risk factors (Beck Jepsen et al., 2022). The third intervention is comprehensive patient education, which ensures that older adults understand the significance of physical activity, furniture organization, and even pain/chronic condition management to protect themselves (Cai et al., 2021). Following these recommendations can significantly reduce the risk of falls.
Conclusion
Patient falls among older adults are a critical public health problem. Multiple environmental factors, mobility/sensory changes, and chronic pain elevate this risk, and it is imperative to mitigate it with appropriate nursing interventions. Some of them include furniture reorganization/home planning, physical activity, and patient education. In summary, while falls among geriatric patients remain a vital issue due to the inevitability of aging, they can be prevented through appropriate interventions.
References
Beck Jepsen, D., Robinson, K., Ogliari, G., Montero-Odasso, M., Kamkar, N., Ryg, J., Freiberger, E., & Masud, T. (2022). Predicting falls in older adults: an umbrella review of instruments assessing gait, balance, and functional mobility. BMC Geriatrics, 22(1).
Cai, Y., Leveille, S. G., Shi, L., Chen, P., & You, T. (2021). Chronic pain and risk of injurious falls in community-dwelling older adults. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 76(9), 179-186.
Ha, V. A. T., Nguyen, T. N., Nguyen, T. X., Nguyen, H. T. T., Nguyen, T. T. H., Nguyen, A. T., Pham, T., & Vu, H. T. T. (2021). Prevalence and factors associated with falls among older outpatients. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(8).