Since january 1st of this year, people over 65 years old had a fall in Europe, sometimes with serious consequences.
Since january 1st of this year, people over 65 years old had a fall in Europe, sometimes with serious consequences.
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Falls can have important social consequences: whether because of a fear to walk or because functional sequelae of the fall remain, seniors' autonomy is often reduced following a fall, which can entail a limitation of social contacts. They become dependent upon a third person or can no longer leave their home.
Consequences can involve increased isolation, which as we know is a fall risk factor. The elderly person therefore becomes caught into a dangerous spiral.
In some cases, falls can be an indication that home support is no longer appropriate: their frequency is such that it removes the possibility of home support. This often convinces the person or her family that institutionalisation has become necessary.
For more information:
- A fall with no injury especially has an impact on social activities while fall accompanied by an injury has an impact on physical activities (Tinetti 98).
- In the 8 weeks following a fall, a limitation of usual activities appears (Grisso 92).
- The 1st fall and the ones that follow cause difficulties in daily life activities (Kiel 91): the person who fell reduces their activities (Vellas 87).
- The risk of institutionalisation is multiplied threefold following an injury sustained during a fall (Wilkins 99); a 1st fall and the ones that follow increase the risk of hospitalisation and institutionalisation (Kiel 1991).
