Fall Prevention in Older Adults |
Certified
for 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Co-Sponsored
by
the
University of Alabama
School
of Medicine
Division of Continuing Medical Education,
Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and
Palliative Care, and
The Center for Aging
| Release
Date: February 15, 2008 |
Expiration
Date: February 15, 2011 |
| TARGET
AUDIENCE: |
| Primary
care physicians |
| OBJECTIVES: |
| Upon
completion of this CME activity,
physicians and other healthcare professionals
should be able to: |
- Describe how to take a patient history and perform a physical exam specific to falls.
- Identify factors that contribute to falls or that may increase future risk of failling.
- Formulate a treatment plan that minimizes the risk of future falls.
|
| Top of Page |
| SOURCE: |
| EDITOR
AND CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS: |
Angela
R. Curtis, PhD
Managing Editor
Assistant Professor, Geriatric Education
Manager
Division
of Gerontology, Geriatrics and
Palliative Care
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Cynthia J. Brown, MD, MSPH
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Palliative Care
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Medical Director, Fall Prevention and Mobility Clinic
Birmingham/Atlanta VA Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC)
Birmingham, Alabama |
| Top of Page |
| |
| DISCLOSURE: |
The
faculty has no commercial affiliations
to disclose.
Because of the nature of preliminary
studies, some products mentioned are
unlabeled and investigational. Dosages,
indications, and methods of use of
drugs mentioned in this publication
may reflect the experience of the authors,
clinical literature, or other resources.
Therefore, please see the full prescribing
information before using any licensed
product mentioned. |
| CME
PARTICIPATION: |
| To
participate in this online course
for CME credit, please review the
objectives before beginning the program.
Complete the course and the self-assessment
test before February 15, 2011 to receive
CME credit. Your certificate will
then be available online. This process
should take approximately 1 hour. |
| ACCREDITATION: |
The
University of Alabama School of
Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation
Council for Continuing Medical
Education to provide continuing
medical education for physicians.
The
University of Alabama School of
Medicine designates this educational
activity for a maximum of 1 AMA
PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Physicians should only claim credit
commensurate with the extent of
their participation in the activity.
The
boards of nursing in many states,
including Alabama, recognize Category
1 continuing medical education
courses as acceptable activities
for the renewal of license to practice
nursing. |
| DISCLAIMER: |
Dosages,
indications, and methods of use of
any drug referred to in this publication
may reflect the clinical experience
of the authors, clinical literature,
or other clinical resources. Therefore,
please see the full prescribing information
before using any product mentioned.
UAB is an equal opportunity/affirmative
action institution. |
| INTRODUCTION: |
For older adults, falls are common and costly. Approximately 30% of community-dwelling older adults fall each year and rates in the nursing home approach 50%. Falls are associated with restricted mobility; a decline in ability to perform activities of daily living; and an increased placement in nursing homes, independent of other health conditions.[1] While the majority of older adults who fall sustain only minor injuries, 10-15% of all falls result in significant injury, such as hip fracture, other fractures, subdural hematomas, or head injury. In men and women aged 65 years or older, complications from falls are the leading cause of death from injury.[2] |
| CASE 1: |
Mr. J, a 78-year-old married gentleman, comes to your office for a routine office visit. He has a history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, urinary incontinence, and osteoarthritis of the knees. His medication regimen includes hydrochlorathiazide 25mg daily, enalapril 10mg daily, simvastatin 40mg daily, oxybutynin 10mg at bedtime, acetaminophen 650mg three times a day, and a multivitamin daily. He ambulates with a cane, and remains independent with his activities of daily living. He is still driving, and is active in his community.
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