Fall-Risk Assessment

Fall risks are very high for the geriatric population. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013), one out of every three adults aged 65 years and older falls each year. This can be attributed to factors such as changes in aging, other health issues, environment, and effects of prescribed drugs. When caring for geriatric patients, it is important to screen them for risks and perform fall-risk assessments. These assessment tools help to determine the level of risk for patients so that preventive measures can be taken. The implications of falls are very serious and range from fractures to mental health disorders and even death. In this Discussion, you explore risk assessment tools for use with patients at your practicum site.

To prepare:

Review the Kanis article in this week’s Learning Resources.

Consider a geriatric patient at your practicum site who is at risk for falls. Coordinate an opportunity to assess this patient with your Preceptor.

Note: When referring to your patient, make sure to use a pseudonym or other false form of identification. This is to ensure the privacy and protection of the patient.

In addition to the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX), select one of the following tools to assess this patient for falls:

Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA)

Systems Approach

Berg Balance Scale

Elderly Mobility Scale

Timed Unsupported Stead Stand (TUSS)

Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)

Hendrich II Fall Risk Model

Consider why you selected the assessment tool for this particular patient.

Assess the patient using the tool you selected under Preceptor guidance. Reflect on the assessment, including any issues with the patient and/or the effectiveness of the tool.

Think about strategies and interventions to reduce the risk of falls for frail elders.

By Day 3

Post a case study description of a geriatric patient from your practicum site who is at risk for falls. Describe this patient’s FRAX assessment. Then, describe the other assessment tool you used in the fall-risk assessment and explain why you selected the tool for this particular patient. Explain the patient assessment, including any issues with the patient and/or the effectiveness of the tool. Finally, explain strategies to reduce the risk of falls for your patient.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days in one or more of the ways listed below. Respond to colleagues who selected a different assessment tool than you did.

Suggest alternative tools for assessing your colleagues’ patients.

Recommend additional strategies to reduce the risk of falls for your colleagues’ patients.

Share insights based on your own experience and additional literature search.