Factors related to falls and prevention, what should we do if a fall occurs

fall

A fall is a sudden, involuntary, unintentional change in body position, falling to the ground or a lower plane, including falling from one plane to another or falling on the same plane.

Hazards of Falling

Physical injuries: fractures, brain trauma, soft tissue contusion, etc.;

Psychological harm;

Reduced quality of life and increased complications;

Economic pressure and human burden.

Assessing whether you are at high risk of falling

▶ Have you fallen in the past year?

▶ Has the physician diagnosed more than one chronic disease (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, orthostatic hypotension)?

▶ Do you use a walking aid?

▶ Is your gait unstable?

▶ Do you have a correct understanding of your own abilities?

If you answered "yes" to more than one of these questions, then the issue of "falling" should be taken seriously immediately.

Factors associated with falls and their prevention

When you stand up after waking up, sitting or squatting for a long time, you may suddenly feel dizzy and have symptoms such as black spots in front of your eyes or dizziness. This condition is called "postural hypotension" and it is easy to fall.

Precautions:

1. When getting up or going to the toilet, you should do it slowly and take appropriate protective measures. When getting up, follow the three steps: lie down for 30 seconds, sit for 30 seconds, and stand for 30 seconds. You can walk only when you feel no discomfort. If you feel dizzy, you should seek help from your family.

2. Take the medicine correctly according to the doctor's instructions. Understand the side effects of the medicine and pay close attention to the reaction after taking the medicine. Move slowly after taking the medicine to prevent falls.

3. Wear clothes that fit you well. Avoid tripping due to long trouser legs. Shoes should be non-slip, and do not wear shoes that fit on carpets. Use necessary auxiliary tools.

4. Take in an appropriate amount of protein to reduce muscle attenuation; increase the intake of antioxidants; eat more calcium-containing foods to increase bone density.

How to reduce the risk of falls at home

1. Suitable light source

The light source should not be too complicated. There must be a light switch at the entrance and at the bedside. To ensure safety when getting up at night, you can install a night light.

2. Items are placed in order

Keep the aisles clear and clear of clutter. Place items in an orderly manner and in fixed positions. Secure the wires and remove any soft packaging such as table corners that are dangerous sources in the environment.

3. Home safety facilities

The floor should be non-slip and kept dry. If necessary, it is recommended to use a carpet with a non-slip bottom and fixed edges. The bathroom is equipped with a toilet and handrails, and the corresponding floor has non-slip function.

4. Home safety facilities

The stairs should be safe, have lighting, and have consistent step height (16 cm < H < 27 cm).

The furniture should be reasonably configured, avoid chairs that are too low or too high, the sofa should not be too soft, the chair must have a backrest and armrests, the height should be based on 90° for the sitting knee joint, the table top height should be higher than 60 cm, the table edge and corners should be arc-shaped, and the height of the bed should preferably be level with the height above the knee.

What should we do if a fall occurs?

1. If you fall at home and land on your back first, you should bend your legs and move your hips to a chair or bed with a blanket or cushion, then lie down comfortably, cover yourself with a blanket and keep your body temperature.

2. Rest for a while, and when you are fully prepared physically, try your best to turn your body towards the chair and lie prone.

3. Support the ground with both hands, lift your hips, bend your knees, and then try your best to kneel facing the chair, holding the chair with both hands.

4. Use the chair for support and try your best to stand up.

5. Rest for a while, regain some strength, and call for help. The most important thing is to report the fall.

What should I do if I can't get up ?

If you find that you cannot stand up after trying the above, or that it is dangerous to stand up, or even cause serious injuries (fractures, severe pain, etc.), please do not force yourself to stand up. You can attract the attention of your family or neighbors by shouting, knocking on objects around you, or calling. Be careful to conserve your energy and do not shout unnecessarily. If possible, bend your legs, move your hips to a place with a blanket or mat, lie down comfortably, cover yourself with a blanket, and maintain body temperature.

Text: Concord Elderly Care Team

Editor: Feng Gaojie

Reviewer: Kang Lin

Reviewer Profile

Kang Lin, MD; Chief Physician; Master Supervisor; Director of the Department of Geriatrics, Peking Union Medical College Hospital; Vice Chairman of the 10th Youth Committee of the Geriatrics Branch of the Chinese Medical Association; Member and Secretary of the Malnutrition and Sarcopenia Group of the Geriatrics Branch of the Chinese Medical Association; Executive Director and Secretary-General of the Geriatrics Branch of the Beijing Medical Association; President of the Young Physicians Branch of the Geriatrics Branch of the Beijing Medical Association; Vice Chairman of the 2nd Youth Committee of the Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Branch of the Beijing Medical Association; Standing Committee Member of the Geriatrics Professional Committee of the Beijing Medical Award Foundation; Vice Chairman of the 1st Committee of the Medical and Nursing Integration Study Group of the Neurodegenerative Disease Professional Committee of the Chinese Society of Microcirculation; Vice Chairman of the Health Care and Health Professional Committee of the Chinese Society of Vocational and Technical Education; Secretary-General of the Geriatrics Professional Committee of the Beijing Hypertension Prevention and Treatment Association; Secretary-General of the Nutrition and Health Professional Committee of the Beijing Health Culture Promotion Association; Standing Committee Member of the Healthy Lifestyle Medicine Professional Committee of the National Cardiovascular Disease Expert Committee; Member of the World Chinese Medical Doctors Association; Member of the Asian Sarcopenia Working Group; Member of the Academic Steering Committee of the "China Clinical Case Results Database" of the Chinese Medical Association; Aging Health Expert of the National Health Commission

Director Kang Lin's clinic hours

Monday morning, International Medical Clinic, Peking Union Medical College Hospital East Branch

Tuesday morning, Peking Union Medical College Hospital Geriatrics Department General Outpatient Clinic

Tuesday afternoon, International Medical Clinic, West Campus, Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Wednesday morning, Peking Union Medical College Hospital Sarcopenia Clinic

Thursday morning, Peking Union Medical College Hospital Perioperative Evaluation Clinic