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Background
Fall injuries and trauma-related hospitalizations are the most common causes of injury and in-hospital stay amongst the elderly population. After the age of 65, the severity and frequency of fall-related problems increases; the repercussions are challenging for senior citizens, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. This study aims to...
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Citations
... Thus, the relationship between age and falls is directly proportional, as biological aging occurs, functional decline occurs but is involved in maintaining mobility, which modify the elderly individual's interaction with the external environment and their social relationships (27) . In this context, it is important to highlight that mortality caused by injuries resulting from falls in the elderly is also higher among the oldest individuals (29) . ...
Objective
To analyze the prevalence and factors associated with external causes in elderly people attended by the mobile emergency care service.
Method
Cross-sectional study with 1,972 pre-hospital care records of elderly victims of external causes from 2019 to 2020. A descriptive and bivariate analysis was performed, with a significance level of 5% (p<0.05).
Results
The prevalence of external causes in elderly people attended by the mobile emergency service was 12.2%. Falling was the most frequent occurrence. The associations of the occurrence of falls with age from 90 years old (OR=29.31; p<0.001) and female gender (OR=5.38; p<0.001) stood out, as well as the suspicion of ingestion of alcoholic beverages with occurrence of violence (OR=4.17; p<0.001) and traffic accidents (OR=1.97; p<0.001).
Conclusion
The study showed factors associated with injuries due to external causes in theelderly and may support the formulation of coping strategies for this problem.
Descriptors:
Emergency medical services; Aged; External causes; Cross-sectional studies; Nursing
... Assim, a relação entre idade e queda é diretamente proporcional, uma vez que à medida que ocorre o envelhecimento biológico, acontece o declínio funcional de sistemas envolvidos na manutenção da mobilidade, os quais modificam a interação do idoso com o ambiente externo e suas relações sociais (27) . Neste contexto, é importante destacar que a mortalidade causada pelas lesões decorrentes das quedas em idosos também é maior nos mais longevos (29) . ...
Objective
To analyze the prevalence and factors associated with external causes in elderly people attended by the mobile emergency care service.
Method
Cross-sectional study with 1,972 pre-hospital care records of elderly victims of external causes from 2019 to 2020. A descriptive and bivariate analysis was performed, with a significance level of 5% (p<0.05).
Results
The prevalence of external causes in elderly people attended by the mobile emergency service was 12.2%. Falling was the most frequent occurrence. The associations of the occurrence of falls with age from 90 years old (OR=29.31; p<0.001) and female gender (OR=5.38; p<0.001) stood out, as well as the suspicion of ingestion of alcoholic beverages with occurrence of violence (OR=4.17; p<0.001) and traffic accidents (OR=1.97; p<0.001).
Conclusion
The study showed factors associated with injuries due to external causes in theelderly and may support the formulation of coping strategies for this problem.
Descriptors:
Emergency medical services; Aged; External causes; Cross-sectional studies; Nursing
... In addition, a past history of knee or hip joint replacement surgery, and fears of stumbling or slipping in those with a falls history cannot be ruled out readily as a secondary falls risk indicator or predictor [46][47][48]. Alternately, understudied predictors such as discrimination in various forms, homes that are unsafe, outdoor safety issues, social isolation, and pain cannot be excluded as being highly salient independent or collective falls injury analogues warranting examination alongside those that appear of high salience to obviate [27, [49][50][51]. ...
Hip fracture injuries, surgery, preventive and rehabilitation efforts over the years have not yielded commensurate returns despite numerous public health investments. Report examines if more is needed and why?
... Accidental falls among older persons are a global health concern. Epidemiological studies found that imbalance/dizziness accounted for one-third of older persons who fall and require emergency treatment admissions [44] and one-leg standing is the strongest predictor of individual fall risk [45]. In this regard, our study demonstrates a notable enhancement of 2.2 seconds (Hedges' g = 1.07) in the one-legged standing, indicating its superiority over the practice of Taijiquan (with a mean of 1.60 seconds and a 95% confidence interval from 0.77 to 2.43 seconds, Cohen's d = 0.69) [22] or engaging in walking alone (with a mean of 1.40 seconds, p = 0.250) [46]. ...
Healthy aging is a global goal to enhance the quality of life for older persons. This study evaluated the benefits of 12-week concurrent brisk walking and Taijiquan. Healthy Chinese women aged 60 years and above were enrolled to the control (n = 26) and intervention (n = 25) groups. Participants in the intervention group engaged in three exercise sessions per week for 12 weeks, whereas control group engaged in free-living activities. Each exercise session consisted of 20–45 minutes of walking and 20–45 minutes of Yang style 24-form Taijiquan. 12-week exercise improved ( p < 0.05) the sit and reach test (within-group mean difference: +5.6 cm; Hedges’ g = 0.77), handgrip strength (mean difference: +3.1 kg; g = 0.89), arm curl (mean difference: +2.1 repetitions; g = 0.69), chair stand (mean difference: +2.6 repetitions; g = 0.63), and one-legged standing (mean difference: +2.2 seconds; g = 1.07). There was no improvement in the circulatory health, body composition, or life satisfaction. Therefore, this concurrent brisk walking and Taijiquan training, which targets major whole-body muscle groups, could improve aging-critical flexibility, muscular fitness, and balance in older women. The exercise meets the current WHO guideline, is safe to perform, and could be campaigned as a health promotion for older persons.
... In the context of the elderly, defined by the United Nations as those 1 2 2 3 4 5 2 6 7 aged 60 years and older [2], various risk factors contribute to falls. These range from age-related changes in the nervous system affecting balance and gait coordination to medications such as antihypertensives, sedatives, and more [3][4][5][6]. Socioeconomic status, environmental factors, comorbidities, and even gender also play a role, with studies suggesting a higher propensity for falls among females [7]. ...
... Socioeconomic status, environmental factors, comorbidities, and even gender also play a role, with studies suggesting a higher propensity for falls among females [7]. The consequences of these falls are multifaceted, from physical injuries like hip fractures [4] to mental and socioeconomic implications like depressive symptoms and financial losses [5,8,9]. Falls are expansive, and prevention is pivotal; increased physical activity, adequate sleep, and cautious medication management are usually emphasized [10]. ...
... Falls are expansive, and prevention is pivotal; increased physical activity, adequate sleep, and cautious medication management are usually emphasized [10]. In the context of Saudi Arabia, this concern is magnified as the nation witnesses a demographic shift towards an aging population [5,8,9]. Still, localized research, especially pertaining to emergency room (ER) presentations, remains limited. ...
Introduction: Saudi Arabia is witnessing a demographic shift characterized by a rising elderly population. Cases of fall in this demographic have emerged as a significant health concern, especially in emergency room (ER) settings. Despite this, there is limited research on the causes and outcomes of such incidents. This study intends to bridge the gap in understanding the factors leading to falls in elderly patients presenting to ERs and the subsequent outcomes. Such understanding is pivotal for the formulation of effective prevention strategies and enhanced healthcare services for the elderly.
Methods: To achieve the study's objectives, we employed SPSS software for Windows, version 28.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) for data analysis. We collected demographic information, including age, gender, education, employment status, and location, to measure patient satisfaction with the quality and responsiveness of emergency care, using Likert scale responses via electronic survey conducted as a cross-sectional study from January 2023 to August 2023, summarizing it using descriptive statistics. We analyzed categorical variables by frequencies and percentages. Chi-square tests were utilized to examine differences in distribution across categories for fall factors, and a p-value below 0.05 was deemed significant. Through logistic regression, we pinpointed the predictors of falls among older adults, showcasing the strength and direction of these relationships. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were documented. A perception survey was also conducted to evaluate ER patient satisfaction.
Results: Our results shed light on various aspects of fall prevention and emergency care. There was a pronounced representation in age groups of 18-24 and 25-34 years, indicating the need for interventions tailored to different age groups. Patterns were identified where subjects engaged in limited physical activity and consumed alcohol infrequently. Mobility and balance problems were commonly found, stressing the need to address these issues. Chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes correlated with fall incidents. Additionally, sociodemographic factors like gender, education, and employment status played a role in influencing the risk of falls. Although age and location seemed to have a less pronounced effect, there exists an opportunity to enhance communication and patient participation in emergency care for improved experiences.
Conclusion: The findings from our study provide crucial insights into the prevention of falls and enhancement of emergency care for Saudi Arabia's elderly population. By revealing the intricate relationships between sociodemographic attributes, health indicators, chronic ailments, and incidents of falls, we emphasize the need for well-rounded interventions. There is a pressing requirement for comprehensive fall prevention initiatives tailored to specific risk groups. Additionally, improving ER services is integral to ensuring the safety and well-being of older adults. This research can serve as a foundational resource for healthcare professionals and policymakers to devise robust strategies to reduce fall-related injuries and elevate the quality of emergency care outcomes.
... Falling is an unintentional event that causes a person to end up on the ground or at a lower level [6,7]. Annually, nearly 30% of older adults experience falls [5,8,9], but with the population of older adults rising [10], the incidence of falls and associated costs are projected to increase substantially over the next 20 years [4,5,[10][11][12]. The increased susceptibility of older adults to falls includes factors such as prolonged life expectancy, the presence of chronic illnesses, and the use of medications [5,13]. ...
Although evidence-based programs have been effective for fall prevention in many communities, older adults living in underserved areas cannot access these services due to the shortage of providers and trainers. In this cross-sectional study, a multi-agency approach was adopted for integrating an evidence-based program, A Matter of Balance (AMOB), into the public health curriculum at a rurally placed university. We assessed student learning as well as the community benefits of fall prevention among those who participated in the AMOB program. Eighty-four percent of the students reported intentions of using AMOB training in their future careers. The average of the items for the effectiveness of “Classroom Training” and “Community Training” provided by the students (n = 25) ranged from 3.52 to 4.32 and 3.48 to 4.36, on a Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree), respectively. Older adults who participated in the fall prevention community workshops showed increased confidence in reducing falls, protecting themselves from falling, and becoming steadier on their feet after the training (p < 0.05). Our study demonstrates the value of integrating evidence-based programs such as AMOB in a university curriculum to address rural health disparities related to falls.
... Approximately 35% of adults aged 40 years and older experience vestibular dysfunction (Agrawal et al., 2009) the rate of which increases with age (Murdin and Schilder, 2015). Older adults are at significant risk for falls due to imbalance, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in those over 65 years (Corrales and Bhattacharyya, 2016;Soomar and Dhalla, 2023). Ageing leads to morphological changes in the vestibular periphery and ascending pathways. ...
Introduction
Occupational workers are increasingly aware of the risk of noise overexposure to the auditory system but lack awareness about potential risks to the vestibular system. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in vestibular end organ function in a known at-risk noise-exposed population, firefighters compared to age- and sex-matched controls using electrophysiologic measures of cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP).
Methods
A cross-sectional observational study compared cVEMP response characteristics in 38 noise-exposed firefighters. Firefighters were grouped by years of exposure in the fire service. The cVEMP responses were compared within firefighter groups and between firefighters and age- and sex-matched controls. Dependent variables included the response characteristics of amplitude, latency and threshold.
Results
cVEMP response amplitudes were significantly decreased in firefighters compared to their age- and sex-matched controls. Threshold of the cVEMP responses were significantly higher in firefighters compared to controls and firefighters had a higher incidence of absent cVEMP responses compared to controls. Response amplitudes decreased with increasing years in the fire-service at an increased rate compared to their age- and sex-matched controls. Latency of the cVEMP response was not significantly different in firefighters compared to controls. These findings are consistent with both animal and human studies suggesting noise-induced changes in the sacculocollic pathway.
Discussion
In the absence of any reported vestibular symptoms or auditory indicators of noise-induced hearing loss, these early effects on the vestibular system point to a potential hidden vestibular loss.
... Data from China's seventh census shows 18.70% of China's population is aged 60 and over, and 13.50% is aged 65 and over [5]. Research shows that falls have become the primary cause of injury deaths among people aged 65 and over [6]. Falls in older adults can easily lead to other illnesses such as death, fractures, and traumatic brain injuries. ...
... It also generates psychological stress and a loss of independence [7]. Care and rehabilitation add significantly to the financial strain [6,8]. ...
Physical exercise has been shown to improve balance, gait, and cognitive function in older adults. Interactive cognitive-motor training (ICMT) combines physical exercise and cognitive stimulation, but few studies have focused on the effect of ICMT on static and dynamic balance in older adults. This study aims to improve the balance of older adults to reduce fall-related injuries for sustainable development goals. We randomly assigned 38 older adults to either the ICMT group (n = 22) or the control group (n = 16). The ICMT group participated in 60-min exercise sessions three times a week for 12 weeks, while the control group maintained their regular activities. The static and dynamic balances were assessed before and after the intervention. The results indicated the ICMT group demonstrated significant improvements in static balance, specifically in swing path and velocity (V) in the medial-lateral (M-L) direction with eyes open (p < 0.05). With eyes closed, the ICMT group showed significant improvements in total swing path and area compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In dynamic balance, there was a significant difference in the lateral (L) angle limit of stability (LOS) between the ICMT group and the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, ICMT effectively enhances static balance and maintains dynamic balance in older adults.
... The elderly population is at an increased risk of falls and injuries, which can lead to hospitalization and a decline in overall health [1]. Handrails and grab bars have been recognized as effective interventions for reducing the risk of falls by providing stability and support while standing, walking, or transferring from one surface to another. ...
The placement of grab bars for elderly users is based largely on ADA building codes and does not reflect the large differences in height, mobility, and muscle power between individual persons. The goal of this study is to see if there are any correlations between an elderly user's preferred handlebar pose and various demographic indicators, self-rated mobility for tasks requiring postural change, and biomechanical markers. For simplicity, we consider only the case where the handlebar is positioned directly in front of the user, as this confines the relevant body kinematics to a 2D sagittal plane. Previous eldercare devices have been constructed to position a handlebar in various poses in space. Our work augments these devices and adds to the body of knowledge by assessing how the handlebar should be positioned based on data on actual elderly people instead of simulations.
... The prevalence of falls increased with age, and females had a higher prevalence of falls than males [3]. Falls are a significant problem among older individuals and can result in various physical, psychological, and social problems, including injuries, fear of falling, reduced mobility, depression and anxiety, social isolation, and increased healthcare costs [4][5][6][7]. Comprehending how muscle strength affects balance during a single stance can aid in designing targeted and more effective fall prevention interventions. ...
Impaired balance is a significant risk factor for falls among older adults. The precise impact of lower-extremity muscles, including the proportion of muscle strength, on the performance of single-leg standing balance tests in older individuals is very interesting. The aim of this study is to examine the correlation between the knee extensor (KE), ankle plantar flexor (AP) muscle strength, and performance in single-leg standing balance tests in older females. Additionally, it aims to evaluate the combined proportion of KE and AP muscle strength in maintaining balance during single-leg standing. A total of 90 older females (mean age 67.83 ± 8.00 years) were recruited. All participants underwent maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) testing of the KE and AP muscles, as well as single-leg standing balance tests with eyes open (SSEO) and eyes closed (SSEC). To examine the influence of KE and AP muscle strength on balance performance, multiple regression analysis was conducted. Low correlations were found between SSEO and MVIC of KE and AP muscles, but moderate correlations were found with percentage of MVIC to body weight ratio (%MVIC/BW). The best model for SSEO included 0.99 times of the %MVIC/BW of AP and 0.66 times that of KE muscles as independent predictor variables (r = 0.682). In conclusion, AP muscle strength was found to have a greater impact on single-leg standing balance compared with KE muscle strength.
