Causes and Prevention of Falls in Elderly Residents in Nursing Homes
Kipkosgei, Gilbert; Ondieki, Daniel (2024)
2024
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052214716
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052214716
Tiivistelmä
Globally the annual prevalence of falls amongst elderly people stands at 20-30%. More than 42% of older adults who have had a history of falls stand at a higher risk of developing lifelong impairment. This will precipitate the risk of metal health decline, institutionalization, and decreased social interaction. The purpose of this thesis was to describe the causes and prevention of falls in nursing homes. The aim was to generate new knowledge in preventing falls of elderly residence in nursing homes.
This thesis used descriptive literature review to answer the research questions describing causes and prevention of falls in elderly care homes. The electronic database search was completed using CINHAL complete (Ebsco), Medline, and ProQuest central. Data was screened against the inclusion and exclusion criteria and thirteen articles were included for analysis. We used Inductive content analysis method in completing data analysis.
This study reported the existence of factors causing the falling of elderly people within elderly homes. Chronic illnesses, cognitive impairment, pain and poor quality of sleep, medication, and inadequate staffing in the care homes. Similarly, the present study highlighted empowering nursing homes staff with fall prevention competences, elderly homes environmental design, mobility exercises, use of alarms and surveillance systems, cognitive behavioral interventions and active screening of risks factors as ways of preventing falls in elderly homes.
In conclusion, falls in elderly care homes are complex and multi-dimensional in nature. The occurrence of falls is associated with presence of the enabling factors. These factors include environmental hazards, comorbidities of the older person, and professionalism and competences of the caregivers in detecting and preventing falls. On the other hand, prevalences of falls can be prevented with implementation of measures including implementation of age-friendly environments, cognitive and physical interventions and more importantly training of caregivers on fall detection and prevention mechanisms.
This thesis used descriptive literature review to answer the research questions describing causes and prevention of falls in elderly care homes. The electronic database search was completed using CINHAL complete (Ebsco), Medline, and ProQuest central. Data was screened against the inclusion and exclusion criteria and thirteen articles were included for analysis. We used Inductive content analysis method in completing data analysis.
This study reported the existence of factors causing the falling of elderly people within elderly homes. Chronic illnesses, cognitive impairment, pain and poor quality of sleep, medication, and inadequate staffing in the care homes. Similarly, the present study highlighted empowering nursing homes staff with fall prevention competences, elderly homes environmental design, mobility exercises, use of alarms and surveillance systems, cognitive behavioral interventions and active screening of risks factors as ways of preventing falls in elderly homes.
In conclusion, falls in elderly care homes are complex and multi-dimensional in nature. The occurrence of falls is associated with presence of the enabling factors. These factors include environmental hazards, comorbidities of the older person, and professionalism and competences of the caregivers in detecting and preventing falls. On the other hand, prevalences of falls can be prevented with implementation of measures including implementation of age-friendly environments, cognitive and physical interventions and more importantly training of caregivers on fall detection and prevention mechanisms.