Syncope can have devastating consequences, resulting in injuries, accidents or even death. Causes of syncope in older adults include orthostatic hypotension, carotid sinus syndrome, vasovagal syncope and many more. In the recently published World Falls Guidelines, syncope in older adults often presents as falls, especially in those prone to falls. In residents with unexplained falls, special attention to syncope is …
Insomnia in cases of depression is common and difficult to resolve but did you know that poor sleep quality can increase the risk of falls? Yep, those residents who you observe tossing and turning or simply lying quietly, wide awake at night, are at higher risk for many negative outcomes including falls. But did you know that depression can be …
Delirium. We have all had residents in our centers who experienced delirium, many times resulting in a negative outcome. We often track the onset of delirium to an emergency room transfer, hospitalization, infection, etc. but have we looked at the possibility that interrupted sleep increases the risk of delirium? In a limited study published in Medscape, researchers found that with …
Bortezomib is a common multiple myeloma therapy that can cause treatment-related peripheral neuropathy, a risk factor for falls. The relationship between bortezomib and falls in older patients with multiple myeloma is unknown. In a recent study published in the Journal of Geriatric Oncology, in older adults with multiple myeloma, bortezomib was associated with an increased risk of having a diagnostic …
Falls represent a leading cause of preventable injury in hospitals and a frequently reported serious adverse event. Hospitalization is associated with an increased risk for falls and serious injuries including hip fractures, subdural hematomas, or even death. A recent, nonrandomized, controlled trial assessed whether a fall-prevention tool kit that engages patients and families in the fall prevention process throughout hospitalization …
