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Answer:
For older adults, falling is extremely dangerous and can cause substantial injuries or disabilities. Long-term care residents usually have several risk factors for falls. Several of these incidents can be avoided if a risk for falls care plan is developed for each individual resident. Each person is unique and has his own weaknesses and strengths, all of which should be assessed.
Explanation:
The first step to prevent a fall is to determine a resident’s risk. When conducting an assessment, it is important to use a simple assessment tool that addresses the most common risk factors for elders. Although it is virtually impossible to plan for every possible scenario, the evaluation will help eliminate falling hazards.
Federal regulations require nursing homes to use the interdisciplinary assessment tool called the Minimum Data Set (MDS). The tool pinpoints several fall risk factors, such as dizziness, use of certain drugs or medications, history of falls, restraint use and wandering. Since the MDS is very long and broad, nursing homes often have one-page assessment tools to quickly elevate a resident. The short tool should include:
History of falls
Vision problems
Mental status and cognition
High risk medications
Mobility issues
Impulsivity
Bowel and bladder control
Recognition of others and environment
Ambulatory assistance equipment
Use of attached devices such as catheters, oxygen or intravenous lines