Older Adults: Fall Prevention

Older Adults: Fall Prevention is organized by Nurse.com - OnCourse Learning Corporation.

Description:
Falls are a serious health risk for older people. For many, a fall is a life-changing event that can lead to disability, loss of independence, and even death. In 2019, over 3.1 million older adults were treated in EDs for nonfatal fall injuries; over 800,000 were hospitalized, and over 34,000 died from a fall (Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021). The good news is that many falls can be prevented (CDC, 2021b). Healthcare professionals who encounter older adults need to understand what causes falls and what strategies prevent these events.

Goal and Learning Outcomes:
The goal of this course is to educate nurses in the acute care setting about ways to identify risk factors for falls in the older adult population and how to apply evidence-based strategies to prevent them.

After taking this course, you should be able to:

• Identify the major physical, psychological, and environmental risk factors for falls in older adults.
• Discuss clinical practice guidelines and other measures for preventing falls in hospitalized older adults.