Strategies to prevent falls

Abstract

Falls in the elderly may have adverse physical, medical, psychological, social and economic consequences. Falls in older adults are a significant public health concern, especially as more than 30% of this section of the population experience one or more falls each year. To date there has been no exhaustive review that has fully captured the various aspects of this problem (epidemiology, aetiology and prevention), although there is evidence to suggest that it is an issue that deserves attention. The aim of this chapter is to analyse, through a literature review, the following aspects: risk factors for falls in the elderly, strategies to prevent them, clinical and multifactorial assessment of patients at risk of falls, and the use of technology to boost fall prevention.