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Kiwanis Brant County Lifeline
Risk Factors for Falls
There are numerous medical conditions that affect the risk for falling. The most common causes for falls in the elderly are intrinsic or medically related. The most common chronic conditions associated with falling are osteoporosis, arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, vascular disease and diabetes. When these conditions are compounded by factors such as altered gait or impaired cognitive status, the risk for falling is increased.
Medications, such as benzodiazepines, psychotropics, analgesics, diuretics, some antihypertensives and laxatives may affect judgment or neuromuscular function, decrease mental alertness or cause dizziness and syncope, which contribute to the prospect of falls.
Benefits of Lifeline for Patients Subject to Falls:
• Decreases severe consequence of falls. Subscribers can immediately communicate the need for help and receive rapid and appropriate response.
• Prevents catastrophic costs of delayed treatment. Lying for prolonged periods after a fall can result in dehydration, pressure sores, muscle deterioration, loss of body temperature and pneumonia.
• Allows for early identification of medical complications. Frequent falls can signal undiagnosed medical conditions that should be investigated.
• Facilitates diagnosis of underlying conditions. Frequent falls can signal the need for social service interventions or environmental alterations.
• Can prevent or minimize the risk for falls. Remote telephone answering and speakerphone features on the Lifeline equipment enable patients with mobility problems to use the telephone with ease.