Environmental
Any sudden drop from one surface to a lower surface with or without injury.
What is the definition of a fall?
This condition causes dizziness and weakness when going from lying down to sitting and/or standing.
What is Orthostatic Hypotension or postural low blood pressure?
This substance can affect the way that the liver processes drugs resulting in toxic combinations. It is also known to alter coordination, balance, and inhibitions.
What is alcohol?
An insurance covered pendant that can be worn around your neck or wrist that can inform EMS of a fall.
What is Life Alert?
More than 95% of these orthopedic or bone injuries are caused by falling (usually sideways).
What are hip fractures?
What emergency number would you call if you fall.
What is 911?
Fear of falling.
What is Fallophobia?
When these types of medications are taken together, they can increase the risk of orthostatic hypotension, potentially causing falls.
What are blood pressure medications?
The assessment used to gauge a person’s 10-year risk of having an osteoporotic related fracture (can be part of fall risk assessment).
What is the fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX)?
With a staggering 72%, this location was the primary setting for falls leading to emergency department visits related to falls.
What is indoors?
This shocking piece of equipment is a tripping hazard.
What is a power cord?
The leading cause of TBI (traumatic brain injury) in ages 75 and older.
What are falls?
These medications, often prescribed after surgery for pain management, are known to be addictive. They can increase the risk of falling because they can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and low blood pressure when getting up from sitting.
What are opioids?
Balance, strength, and gait training.
What exercises reduce the risk of falls?
The fraction of Americans over the age of 65 that report falling each year
What is one in four (¼)?
This small light fixture only turns on when it's dark and helps prevent blindly stumbling
What is a night light?
Neuropathy, bunions, foot pain, corns, calluses, hammer toes.
What are common foot problems?
Taking five or more medications is referred to as this, increasing someone’s risk for falling.
What is polypharmacy?
A deficiency in this vitamin can lead to muscle weakness and compromised balance, increasing the risk of falls, especially in older adults.
What is Vitamin D?
An assessment of risk that is generally performed by your healthcare team to determine your risk for this.
What is screening for fall risk and addressing factors like medication use and physical strength?
We should always have non-skid strips in these.
What is a bathtub or shower?
Serious disturbance in mental abilities that results in confused thinking and reduced awareness of surroundings.
What is delirium?
These types of medications, including antihistamines (Benadryl or Claritin) and antispasmodics like oxybutynin, are associated with side effects such as reduced tear production, dilated pupils, and decreased ability to adjust to light, which contribute to vision-related fall risk.
What are anticholinergics?
To support muscle health and overall strength, it's important for individuals to consume sufficient amounts of this nutrient, especially in older adults.
What is protein (meat, tofu, beans)?
Nearly 50% of all fall injuries result in recovery placements in these types of facilities.
What are hospitals and nursing homes?