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Preventive activities in older age

Falls

Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice
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Approximately 30% of people aged ≥65 years report one or more falls in the past 12 months.32 Most falls are caused by an interaction of multiple risk factors. Having one fall puts you at risk of another fall, and the more risk factors, the greater the chance of falling. You can help your patients manage their risk and prevent further falls by regularly asking them about falls.

Falls: Identifying risks

Table 5.3.1

Falls: Identifying risks
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Falls: Preventive interventions

Table 5.3.2

Falls: Preventive interventions
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A time of >12 seconds indicates an increased fall risk. The alternate step test measures how quickly an older person can alternate steps (left, right, left, etc) onto an 18 cm high step a total of eight times. A time >10 seconds indicates an increased fall risk. 

The Quickscreen assessment tool, developed and validated for use in an Australian population, includes these tests as well as simple assessments of medication use, vision, sensation and balance. 

GPCOG, General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition; MS, multiple sclerosis

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