Abstract Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the falls risk stratification, assessment and management of older adults who receive Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). Methods A retrospective evaluation was undertaken of all patients ≥65 years who attended a Community Specialist Team over a 7-month period. Falls risk stratification and Multifactorial Falls Risk Assessment (MFRA) were undertaken as part of CGA. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. Results Ninety-six patients attended during the study period, 37 male, 59 female, mean age: 80 years (SD=7), median Clinical Frailty Scale score: 5 (mild frailty), Barthel score: 17/20 (low dependency). Forty-four percent (n=42) were referred for CGA because of falling. Opportunistic screening identified 97% (n=93) had falls risks, 86% (n=83) were high risk and 66% (n=63) reported falling in the past year. Balance and gait impairment was an independent predictor of falls (OR=3.167, CI=1.157-8.668, p0.025). Other risk factors were musculoskeletal disorder (68% n=65), cognitive impairment (66% n=63), Falls-Risk-Increasing-Drgs (62% n=59), probable sarcopenia (40% n=38) and Orthostatic Hypotension (30% n=28). Median number of falls-specific interventions required was 4 (range 0-9). Most frequent interventions were Physiotherapy (51% n=49), medication changes (47% n=45), Dietetics (42% n=40), Occupational Therapy (38% n=36), Pharmacy (35% n=33), Memory Clinic (35% n=34) and Cardiology (13% n=12). Conclusion Older adults attending for CGA are at high risk for falls. MFRA is an essential component of CGA. This evaluation will guide multi-domain service delivery to address the key risk factors.
Ryan et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
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