Health Discoveries in General Health News
Elderly's indoor and outdoor falls need different approach
September 30, 2010
A study on indoor and outdoor falls by elderly people shows that not all falls are the result of poor health and need to be addressed differently.
The findings, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, were based on falls taken by 765 elderly people over a two-year period. Those who fell indoors generally had inactive lifestyles, more physical limitations and required more medication. Outdoor falls usually happened to participants who were younger, had better health and were more often male.
"Most fall prevention programs emphasize the prevention of indoor falls, particularly through strength, balance and gait training, treatment of medical conditions and the elimination of home hazards," said researcher Marian Hannan, of the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston. "Healthy, active older people should be aware of their surroundings, especially when walking outdoors. More attention needs to be paid to the elimination of outdoor environmental hazards involving sidewalks, curbs and streets."
Within the North Shore-LIJ Health System, the Stern Family Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation in Manhasset, New York, and the Orzac Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation in Valley Stream, New York, have five-star ratings for superior care from New York state and the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The findings, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, were based on falls taken by 765 elderly people over a two-year period. Those who fell indoors generally had inactive lifestyles, more physical limitations and required more medication. Outdoor falls usually happened to participants who were younger, had better health and were more often male.
"Most fall prevention programs emphasize the prevention of indoor falls, particularly through strength, balance and gait training, treatment of medical conditions and the elimination of home hazards," said researcher Marian Hannan, of the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston. "Healthy, active older people should be aware of their surroundings, especially when walking outdoors. More attention needs to be paid to the elimination of outdoor environmental hazards involving sidewalks, curbs and streets."
Within the North Shore-LIJ Health System, the Stern Family Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation in Manhasset, New York, and the Orzac Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation in Valley Stream, New York, have five-star ratings for superior care from New York state and the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.