CLINICAL OVERVIEW OF INSTABILITY IN THE ELDERLY

Falling is often a multifactorial syndrome that can be viewed from sev eral perspectives, including pathophysiologic, biomedical, functional, and ecologic models. The history, physical examination, and performan ce testing are the cornerstones of evaluation. Diagnostic testing in s elected cases and environmental evaluation when feasible are additiona l elements. Management is directed toward correcting reversible proble ms, improving deficits amenable to partial correction, and providing a daptation to fixed deficits.