Prevention of falls and their consequences

Frequency and severity: Approximately 30% of all elderly subjects experienc e a fall at least once a year. Hip fractures is the most severe consequence . Preventive measures: The prevention of falls and hip fractures implies diff erent strategies depending on the population concerned. For most all older subjects in good general health, one of the important risk factors is an ab normal single-leg stance which can reveal equilibrium disorders. For more f rail subjects (20% of the elderly population), all factors must be consider ed, including, sarcopenia, nutritional status, and cognitive function. Institutionalized subjects: For institutionalized subjects, generally with multiple disease states, fails usually signal poor health, aggravated by mu ltiple medications. One of the most frequent diseases observed in this popu lation is Alzheimer type dementia. Adapted multidimensional management must be initiated within the framework of an overall gerontology policy to prev ent falls and their consequences in institutionalized subjects.