For GPs

Falls and fall injuries are one of the most common health problems among older adults. However, since falling is not a single disease, clinicians may not recognise it as a treatable health problem. The consequences of untreated falls and risk factors can be just as serious as those of other untreated chronic diseases.

While some factors that increase risk of falling, such as age and previous falls, cannot be changed, a number of important ones can be. Research has shown that treating and correcting these specific health problems reduces the rate of falling by more than 30%.

Risk factors for falling

Intrinsic risk factors

• Age over 65 years
• Previous history of a fall
• Impaired balance, strength, flexibility, mobility and gait
• Physical inactivity
• Multiple medications or psychotropic medication use
• Impaired cognition
• Depression
• Living alone – social isolation
• Foot disorders
• Chronic medical conditions
• Visual impairment
• Postural hypotension
• Continence issues
• Inadequate nutrition

Extrinsic risk factors

• Environmental hazards – trip / slip hazards
• Inappropriate footwear
• Inadequate lighting
• Inappropriate mobility aids

Assessments

Assessing the following areas can support the clinical observations of older people in relation to the falls risk factors:

» Mobility
» Medication
» Osteoporosis
» Vitamin D and calcium
» Postural hypotension

Online education

The West Australian Centre for Health and Ageing has an online learning tool called E-Ageing (external site) that is for health professionals, specifically medical students.

• Falls module (external site)

Falls clinics

Referral to a falls clinic may help older people who have experienced a fall or are at high risk of falling.

More information:

» Hospitals
» For occupational therapists
» For physiotherapists
» Community education
» Significance of the problem in Western Australia
» Rural health practice resources
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