| Abstrakt: |
Background: For older adults, numerous age-related changes, functional impairments, and risk factors contribute to a high incidence of falls. The phenomenon of falls in community-dwelling elders is a significant global health care problem because of its high potential of increasing morbidity, mortality, reduced functioning or disability. Falls can lead to premature nursing home admissions, hospitalization, psychological and social consequences, and financial burden for individuals and health care systems across the world. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the state of the science of prevalence fall risk factors, the effects of falls on the elders, and fall prevention programs for elders in Thailand as well as other countries. Materials and Methods: The search strategy was based on electronic searches including CINHAL (OVID ONLINE), the Cochrane Library, handsearch of selected journals, and snowballing from reference lists of selected publications duringJanuary 2000 until December 2005. The search terms were accidental falls, risks of falls, falls prevention program, community-dwelling elders, and fall-related injury. Results: The most salient risk factor of fall in community-dwelling elders both in Thailand and in other countries is the impairment of gait and balance. A fall prevention program for the community-dwelling elders should combine strategies including fall prevention education sessions and Tai Chi exercise sessions. These interventions would include physical modification, behavioral modification, and improved environmental safety. Conclusions: Research about the effects of a fall prevention program for the Thai community-dwelling elders should be aimed at improving their gait and balance. An effective fall prevention program is one critical way to enhance the quality of life for the elders in Thailand as well as worldwide. Key words: accidental falls, risks of falls, falls prevention program, community-dwelling elders, and fall-related injury Background: For older adults, numerous age-related changes, functional impairments, and risk factors contribute to a high incidence of falls. The phenomenon of falls in community-dwelling elders is a significant global health care problem because of its high potential of increasing morbidity, mortality, reduced functioning or disability. Falls can lead to premature nursing home admissions, hospitalization, psychological and social consequences, and financial burden for individuals and health care systems across the world. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the state of the science of prevalence fall risk factors, the effects of falls on the elders, and fall prevention programs for elders in Thailand as well as other countries. Materials and Methods: The search strategy was based on electronic searches including CINHAL (OVID ONLINE), the Cochrane Library, handsearch of selected journals, and snowballing from reference lists of selected publications duringJanuary 2000 until December 2005. The search terms were accidental falls, risks of falls, falls prevention program, community-dwelling elders, and fall-related injury. Results: The most salient risk factor of fall in community-dwelling elders both in Thailand and in other countries is the impairment of gait and balance. A fall prevention program for the community-dwelling elders should combine strategies including fall prevention education sessions and Tai Chi exercise sessions. These interventions would include physical modification, behavioral modification, and improved environmental safety. Conclusions: Research about the effects of a fall prevention program for the Thai community-dwelling elders should be aimed at improving their gait and balance. An effective fall prevention program is one critical way to enhance the quality of life for the elders in Thailand as well as worldwide.… [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
