what is a geriatric syndrome? what % of community and institutionalized seniors experience falling? list the common causes of falls in the elderly list the 11 risk factors of falls in the elderly what medication classes/AEs are associated an increased risk of falls? what sensory losses can increase the risk of falls? what 3 CV conditions can increase the risk of falls? what pathologies of musculoskeletal weakness increase the risk of falls? what 4 neurological conditions are risk factors for falls? Hip fractures: what % are due to falls? what are 3 causes of increased risk?

1. what is a geriatric syndrome?

a clinical condition that doesn't fit into a discrete category of condition; multifactorial; quality indicators ACOVE core measures; examples include delirium, falls, incontinence

2. what % of community and institutionalized seniors experience falling?

33% community,
50% institutionalized

3. list the common causes of falls in the elderly

Provoked: pushed, syncope, seizure, environmental (icy, stuff on the ground, etc), orthostasis
Unintentional: loss of balance, weakness, vitamin D deficiency, cognition, vision

4. list the 11 risk factors of falls in the elderly

Advanced Age;
Medications;
female gender
neurological condition;
musculoskeletal weakness/pathology;
gait and balance difficulties and mobility limitations;
sensory loss;
CV disease;
decreased ADLs;
alcohol use;
history of falls

5. what medication classes/AEs are associated an increased risk of falls?

sedation (opioids, anticholinergics);
hypotension (antihypertensives);
bradycardia;
hypoglycemia;
CNS/cognitive effects (dizziness, fatigue, confusion, delirium, psychosis, decreased cognition, etc);
psychoactive medications (antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzos);
blurred vision;
arrhythmias/syncope;
urinary urgency

6. what sensory losses can increase the risk of falls?

vision, neuropathy

7. what 3 CV conditions can increase the risk of falls?

syncope, orthostatic hypotension, arrhythmias

8. what pathologies of musculoskeletal weakness increase the risk of falls?

vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis

9. what 4 neurological conditions are risk factors for falls?

parkinson's disease; cognitive impairment, depression, stroke

10. Hip fractures: what % are due to falls? what are 3 causes of increased risk?

90% due to falls;
increases with age, anxiety, depression, decrease independence and confidence