Falls prevention and technical aids in the elderly, aproach for Chilean primary health care.

Description

Falls represent an important public health problem due to their high frequency of occurrence, morbimortality, disability and associated costs. This article is aiming to deliver an up-to-date, friendly document for primary care physicians, offering summarized information about risk factors for falls in older people, and measures that have shown to be effective in fall prevention. Among the most effective interventions to reduce the incidence of falls in the elderly are exercise, orthotics, clinic-level improvement strategies, and the combination of these. Also, evidence-based tools for a comprehensive fall risk assessment in older adults are suggested. According to patient evaluation and clinical judgment, 3 risk groups are proposed (low, moderate, and high risk), aiming to assist the provider in selecting measures to be executed and suggest a management plan for preventing future falls. A summary of orthotics, technical aids and prevention programs available in Chilean primary care is incorporated as well, including motor kinesthetic therapy. The goal of this article is to encourage healthcare teams to include the suggested measures in their treatment plans, with the hope of improving the quality of life in older people and reduce healthcare costs in Chile.