![]() ![]() Specifically, the evidence supports comprehensive individual assessment followed by multifactorial, evidence-based practices. Factors that put seniors at risk of falls include chronic and acute health conditions, balance or gait deficits, sensory factors, inadequate nutrition, social isolation, as well as factors related to the built and social environment.Įvidence shows that preventing falls requires interventions that target more than one risk factor. Each older person may face a unique combination of risk factors according to his or her life circumstances, health status, health behaviours, economic situation, social supports and environment. These factors are categorized as biological/intrinsic, behavioural, environmental and social/economic. The report also presents risk factors for falls among seniors, which are numerous, complex and interactive. Even more worrying is that the number of deaths due to falls increased by 65% from 2003 to 2008. This discrepancy highlights the disproportionate health care costs of fall-related injuries in comparison to other causes of hospitalization. When hospitalization data are examined, the results show that seniors who are hospitalized for a fall remain in hospital an average of nine days longer than those hospitalized for any cause. Fracture-induced physical limitations augment the need for support on the part of older adults themselves and their caregivers, and increases pressure on Canadian health care systems. The majority of falls resulted in broken or fractured bones, and over one third of fall-related hospitalizations among seniors were associated with a hip fracture. Results from the data analysis indicate that self-reported injuries due to falls are increasing, specifically by 43% between 20/2010. In addition to the negative physical and mental health consequences of falling, there are significant associated financial costs, estimated at $2 billion annually, a value 3.7 times greater than that for younger adults Footnote 156. Falls can lead to negative mental health outcomes such as fear of falling, loss of autonomy and greater isolation, confusion, immobilization and depression. Among Canadian seniors, falls remain the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations, and absolute numbers are on the rise. The data show a continued, but also increasing, need for effective falls interventions initiatives targeted at older adults. The data used in this report were taken from the Canadian Community Health Survey, the Hospital Morbidity Database and Canadian Vital Statistics Footnote 31 Footnote 159 Footnote 160. It offers an update of our knowledge of falls, injuries and hospitalizations among Canadian adults aged 65 and over, and provides a picture of changes over time. To this end, this report provides policy makers, researchers, community programmers and practitioners with current national information to prevent falls among seniors. However, we do know that these personal and economic costs can be avoided through injury prevention activities. Falls and associated outcomes not only harm the injured individuals but also affect family, friends, care providers and the health care system. Falls remain the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among Canadian seniors, and between 20% and 30% of seniors fall each year. It is a leading cause of hospitalization for children, young adults and seniors, and it is a major cause of disability and death. Injury in Canada is a serious public health concern. Appendix B: Factors associated with an increased risk of falling among older adults.Appendix A: Distribution of CCHS sample with injury related to a fall by key demographic variables, age 65+, Canada, 20.5.1 Why is an updated report on falls needed?.5.0 Stepping up fall prevention in Canada.4.2.3 Components of successful multifactorial approaches for acute care settings.4.2.2 Components of successful multifactorial approaches for residential care settings.4.2.1 Components of successful multifactorial approaches for community-based settings.4.1.1 Components of a comprehensive assessment.4.0 Best practices for the prevention of falls.3.2 Biological or intrinsic risk factors.3.1 Risk factors – complex and interactive.3.0 Risk factors for falls and fall-related injuries among seniors.2.4 What mortality data tell us about deaths due to falls.2.3 What hospitalization data tell us about falls among seniors in residential care.2.2 What hospitalization data tell us about seniors' falls.2.1 What seniors report about falls and related injuries. ![]()
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