Shared risk factors for falls, incontinence, and functional dependence: unifying the approach to geriatric syndromes

Article Abstract:

Several types of individual impairment appear to increase an elderly person's risk of urinary incontinence, falling and functional dependence. Falling and urinary incontinence occur often in the elderly. Researchers gave a battery of physical, psychological and emotional tests to 927 people over 71 years old. Physical tests included movement, gait, balance and range of motion of joints. Ninety-six elderly people in the study fell two or more times during the one-year study. Elderly participants were more likely to fall, be incontinent or be dependent on others if they had vision and hearing difficulties, anxiety, and a reduced ability to use their upper and lower extremities. The more impairments they had, the higher their risk of falling, incontinence or functional dependence.

Urinary incontinence, Falls (Accidents), Accidental falls

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Difficulty and dependence: two components of the disability continuum among community-living older persons

Article Abstract:

Elderly people who have difficulty with basic activities of daily living (BADL) may be at risk of physical and functional decline even if they do not require help from another person. Traditionally, physicians have considered elderly patients as disabled only if they require help from another person. Researchers followed 1,065 people 72 years of age and older who were independent with no difficulty, independent with difficulty and dependent. Hospitalization rates in these groups were 46%, 57% and 72%, respectively. The percentage who needed regular home care was 17%, 30% and 49%, respectively.

Analysis, Measurement, Disability evaluation, Health risk assessment, Activities of daily living

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Dizziness among Older Adults: A Possible Geriatric Syndrome

Article Abstract:

Dizziness appears to be a geriatric syndrome caused by many different impairments. In a study of 1,087 people over the age of 72, 24% reported dizzy spells. Many different factors were associated with dizziness, including anxiety, depression, hearing loss, use of five or more medications, low blood pressure when changing body positions, problems with balance, and a history of heart attack. Three-fourths of the patients who had dizzy spells said the spells were triggered by more than one activity.

Vertigo

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