%0 Generic %1 123 %A C, Skelton D Todd %D 2004 %K Denmark EU WP3 ageing falls_prevention injury older_people premature_death prevention %T What are the main risk factors for falls amongst older people and what are the most effective interventions to prevent these falls? %X What are the main risk factors for falls amongst older people and what are the most effective interventions to prevent these falls? March 2004 ABSTRACT This report is HEN’s response to a question from a decision-maker. It provides a synthesis of the best available evidence, including a summary of the main findings and policy options related to the issue. Fall prevention programmes can be effective in reducing the number of people who fall and the rate of falls. Targeted strategies aimed at behavioural change and risk modification for those living in the community appear to be most promising. Multifactorial intervention programmes that include risk factor assessment and screening have been shown to be effective. However, no screening tools have been rigorously validated across countries and further work is needed in this area. HEN, initiated and coordinated by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, is an information service for public health and health care decision-makers in the WHO European Region. Other interested parties might also benefit from HEN. This HEN evidence report is a commissioned work and the contents are the responsibility of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the official policies of WHO/Europe. The reports were subjected to international review, managed by the HEN team. When referencing this report, please use the following attribution: Todd C, Skelton D (2004). What are the main risk factors for falls among older people and what are the most effective interventions to prevent these falls? Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe (Health Evidence Network report; http://www.euro.who.int/document/E82552.pdf, accessed day month year). Keywords ACCIDENTAL FALLS ACCIDENT PREVENTION AGED RISK FACTORS EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE DECISION SUPPORT TECHNIQUES EUROPE Address requests about publications of the WHO Regional Office to: •by e-mail publicationrequests@euro.who.int (for copies of publications) permissions@euro.who.int (for permission to reproduce them) pubrights@euro.who.int (for permission to translate them) •by post Publications WHO Regional Office for Europe Scherfigsvej 8 DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark © World Health Organization 2004

@misc{123, abstract = {What are the main risk factors for falls amongst older people and what are the most effective interventions to prevent these falls? March 2004 ABSTRACT This report is HEN’s response to a question from a decision-maker. It provides a synthesis of the best available evidence, including a summary of the main findings and policy options related to the issue. Fall prevention programmes can be effective in reducing the number of people who fall and the rate of falls. Targeted strategies aimed at behavioural change and risk modification for those living in the community appear to be most promising. Multifactorial intervention programmes that include risk factor assessment and screening have been shown to be effective. However, no screening tools have been rigorously validated across countries and further work is needed in this area. HEN, initiated and coordinated by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, is an information service for public health and health care decision-makers in the WHO European Region. Other interested parties might also benefit from HEN. This HEN evidence report is a commissioned work and the contents are the responsibility of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the official policies of WHO/Europe. The reports were subjected to international review, managed by the HEN team. When referencing this report, please use the following attribution: Todd C, Skelton D (2004). What are the main risk factors for falls among older people and what are the most effective interventions to prevent these falls? Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe (Health Evidence Network report; http://www.euro.who.int/document/E82552.pdf, accessed [day month year]). Keywords ACCIDENTAL FALLS ACCIDENT PREVENTION AGED RISK FACTORS EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE DECISION SUPPORT TECHNIQUES EUROPE Address requests about publications of the WHO Regional Office to: •by e-mail publicationrequests@euro.who.int (for copies of publications) permissions@euro.who.int (for permission to reproduce them) pubrights@euro.who.int (for permission to translate them) •by post Publications WHO Regional Office for Europe Scherfigsvej 8 DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark © World Health Organization 2004 }, added-at = {2009-05-06T13:45:40.000+0200}, author = {C, Skelton D Todd}, biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/2564264e571c2cbc8436565369c0a6e58/lornacampbell}, description = {This is a synthesis report that collects research on risk factors and prevention of falls amongst older people. Conducted by HEN, an information service for public health and health care decision-makers in the WHO European Region.}, interhash = {5a2e8a2b06f819a3b18e1d93fc71fad9}, intrahash = {564264e571c2cbc8436565369c0a6e58}, keywords = {Denmark EU WP3 ageing falls_prevention injury older_people premature_death prevention}, note = {Gaps and policy considerations: There are still gaps in knowledge and questions about generalisability of interventions across cultures, countries and settings. Health and social care agencies need to work together to prioritise falls prevention. National programmes should be implemented with data collection mechanisms for outcome evaluation rather than process or structure. To be effective, injury prevention should not be undertaken in isolation but integrated into major health promotion programmes where the wider health impact of specific-injury prevention is recognised at the outset. }, q1e = {Falls are a major issue for older people. Up to 30% of those who fall suffer reduced mobility and independence and increased risk of premature death. Fall rates in institutions are much higher than in the community. Falls prevention programmes are effective, including targeted strategies and multifactorial programmes. Use of physical and pharmacological restraints leads to more severe injuries from falls. Examples of interventions: Tai Chi group exercise, home-based prescribed exercise, home visits, medication review.}, timestamp = {2009-05-06T13:45:40.000+0200}, title = {What are the main risk factors for falls amongst older people and what are the most effective interventions to prevent these falls?}, year = 2004 }