Morbidity and mortality due to fall in elderly

important topic

1. MORBIDITY & MORTALTY DUE TO FALLS IN ELDERLY MARIYA ALIAS

2. INTRODUCTION The mortality rate for falls increase dramatically with age in both sexes and in all racial and ethnic groups with falls accounting for 70 percent of accidental deaths in persons 75 years of age and older

3. CONSEQUENCE OF FALLS Physical consequences Skin tear and internal bleeding ,subdural hematoma Falls result in physical injuries ,disability and death Severe injuries that require hospitalization Hypothermia,dehydration,bronchial pneumonia,and pressure damage to the skin Hip fractures one of the most serious injuries

4. PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES Fear of falling can itself be debilitating.it can lead to restricted activity,decreased exercise,eventually to increased dependency,depression,anxiety,loss of confidence,social withdrawal and institutionalization. Older adults who fall may or may not experience psychological trauma post fall one significant consequences of falling may be fear of falling aging

5. PHYSICAL FINDINGS IN THE ELDERLY PATIENT WHO NEARLY FALLS I =inflammation of joints(or joint deformity) H=hypotension(orthostatic blood pressure changes) A=auditory and visual abnormalities T=tremor ( parkinson”s disease or other causes of tremor) E= Equlibrium (balance)problem F=foot problems A=arrhythmia , heartblock,or valvular disease L =leg- length discrepancy L=lack of conditioning I=illness Mnemonic=I HATE FALLING

6. WHAT COMES AFTER A FALL? Falls are the most common causes of injuries among senior citizens and top reason for a hospital admissions of trauma. Advanced age substantially increases the likelihood of hospitalization after a fall. Falls account for 87%of all fractures among people aged 65 years or older

7. TYPES OF FRACTURES IN ELDERLY Fracture neck of femur Fracture of the intertrochanteric region in the femur Fracture of distal end of the radius Osteoporotic compression fracturesof the spine Fractures of the upper end of humerus

8. COMMON SITES OF FRACTURE HIP FEMUR PELVIS VERTEBRAE HUMERUS FOREARM HAND LEG ANKLE BONES