Dan Med Bull
-
Although falls among the elderly carry high costs to individuals and society, the prevention of falls in later life has not received adequate attention from health care professionals. The prevalence of falls appears to involve roughly one-third of persons aged 65 and over, and the risk of falling and suffering serious injury increases substantially up to the eighth decade of life. The proportion of falls which result in fracture is low, but the absolute number of older people who suffer fractures is high and places heavy demands on health care systems. ⋯ The report underscores that the causes of falls are very different for persons of varying ages, health status, and levels of mobility. While the many risk factors for falls are not yet known, poor health status, especially chronic illness, impaired mobility and postural instability, and a history of prior falls have been associated with the risk of falling. Balance, the ability to prevent falls upon displacement, can be impaired by disease or age-related changes in a number of anatomical structures, by medications which reduce their efficient functioning, and by environmental hazards.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)