Citation

Wolf-Klein GP, Silverstone FA, Basavaraju N, Foley CJ, Pascaru A, Ma PH. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 1988; 69(9): 689-691.

Affiliation

Jewish Institute for Geriatric Care, New Hyde Park, NY 11042.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3421823

Abstract

In response to the challenge posed by falls in the elderly, the Jewish Institute for Geriatric Care established a Falls Clinic. The coordinated expertise of a geriatrician, neurologist, cardiologist, and physiatrist were combined with resources in audiology, ophthalmology, and podiatry. Thirty-six patients enrolled in the study had sustained a total of 36 falls, which resulted in 13 fractures and seven soft-tissue injuries. Falls were a daily occurrence for three patients, weekly for five patients, monthly for ten, semiannually for 14, and yearly for four patients. After a one-year follow-up, 77% of the patients experienced no further falls. We suggest that falls are a multidisciplinary issue and recommend a team approach for successful management.

Language: en