%0 Journal Article %A Crehan, Fiona %A O'Shea, D %A Ryan, John M. %A Horgan, Frances %D 2019 %T A profile of elderly fallers referred for physiotherapy in the emergency department of a Dublin teaching hospital. %U https://repository.rcsi.com/articles/journal_contribution/A_profile_of_elderly_fallers_referred_for_physiotherapy_in_the_emergency_department_of_a_Dublin_teaching_hospital_/10799372 %2 https://repository.rcsi.com/ndownloader/files/19310840 %K Accidental Falls %K Aged %K 80 and over %K Emergency Service %K Hospital %K Fear %K Female %K Frail Elderly %K Hand Strength %K Hospitals %K Teaching %K Humans %K Ireland %K Male %K Risk Factors %K Self-Help Devices %K Walking %K Physiotherapy %X

Ireland has an ageing population and the elderly are over-represented in Emergency Departments (ED)--a quarter of these presentations resulting from falls. A prospective study design was employed using a convenience sample to profile elderly fallers referred for physiotherapy in ED. Forty-subjects were assessed over 14 weeks. Mean age was 84.88 years (s.d. 7.3) and 31 (77.5%) were female. All demonstrated slow walking speed and 26 (65%) demonstrated poor grip strength. A quarter of subjects reported fear of falling and 30 (75%) were classified as frail. Elderly fallers in ED are a frail group of socially vulnerable patients who demonstrate a risk of further falls. Osteoporosis had been diagnosed in 9 (22.5%) subjects--a low prevalence compared with international research, but 25 (62.5%) subjects had never had a DEXA scan. The prevalence of frailty in the sample of elderly fallers in this study was very high (75%).

%I Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland