The Pulse

According to the CDC, falls are not only a serious health risk, they carry a high economic burden as well. For older adults in the US, fall mortality rates have increased by 30% from 2007 to 2016. In 2015, the total medical cost for falls was more than $50 billion with Medicare and Medicaid accounting for 75% of these costs. The statistics related to falls are astounding. Each year:¹

• Three million older adults are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries
• 800,000+ patients are hospitalized due to a fall-related injury, most often head injury or hip fracture
• A typical nursing home with 100 residents reports about 100-200 falls
         – 35% of injuries due to falls occur in residents who do not ambulate
• 24% (most common cause) of falls among elderly nursing home residents are due to muscle weakness and gait problems, whereas 16-27%, on average, are due to environmental hazards

Patient Information: Male, Age 66

Diagnosis: Fall-Related Trauma / Multiple Fractures

History: This gentleman was admitted to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation services after being hospitalized for two and a half months due to a fall at home while climbing a ladder, resulting in multiple fractures to the left side of his body. While in the hospital he suffered respiratory failure due to a pneumothorax (collapsed lung). Prior to his fall he was living at home, independent with all activities, and worked full-time in the field of construction.

Patient Information: Female, Age 86

Diagnosis: Right Shoulder Fracture / Shoulder Pain

History: This woman fell at her home in an assisted living facility, resulting in a fracture of her
right shoulder. She was evaluated and treated in the emergency room and returned home with an immobilizer to limit the movement of her shoulder. After six weeks of right shoulder immobilization, she was referred to outpatient therapy. Prior to her fall she lived in an assisted living facility and was independent with dressing, eating, and bathing.

Patient Information: Male, Age 72

Diagnosis: Spinal Stenosis / Muscle Weakness / Low Back Pain

History: This gentleman went to the emergency room (ER) due to increased pain from spinal stenosis. He received pain medication and was sent home. He fell and returned to the ER and was referred to a skilled nursing facility due to his inability to bear weight on his right leg, walk, or return home. Previously he lived independently in a single story home with three steps at the entry.

Patient Information: Female, Age 82

Diagnosis: Right Hip Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) / Right Hip Pain / Falls

History: This woman was referred to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation services after hospitalization due to a fall which resulted in a hip fracture requiring surgery. Prior to her fall she lived independently at home.

Patient Information: Male, Age 62

Diagnosis: Muscle Weakness / Falls / Dementia

History: This gentleman, a long-term skilled nursing facility resident, experienced several falls from his wheelchair and was referred to therapy by nursing to maximize his overall functional mobility in an effort to reduce his fall risk.

Patient Information: Male, Age 50

Diagnosis: Below Knee Amputation

History: This gentleman was referred to a skilled nursing facility for physical and occupational therapy services after hospitalization due to a non-healing diabetic ulcer on the right foot resulting in a below the knee amputation. Prior to the amputation, he lived at home and was independent with walking and driving.

Patient Information: Female, Age 85

Diagnosis: Falls / Back Pain

History: This woman, a long-term skilled nursing facility resident, was referred to therapy by the
nursing staff due to a recent fall in her room, decreased safety awareness, unsafe transfers,
and increased pain in her back and legs. Prior to the fall this woman required supervision to safely get in and out of bed and maximal assistance to walk.

Patient Information: Female, Age 92

Diagnosis: Osteoarthritis / Dementia / Anxiety

History: This woman, a long-term skilled nursing facility resident, was referred to therapy for right hip pain due to osteoarthritis which resulted in a functional decline with transfers in and out of bed and her ability to walk. Previously, this woman required minimal (<25%) assistance with bed mobility and transfers and she walked throughout the facility using a rolling walker and guiding contact of a caregiver for steadying assistance.

Patient Information: Male, Age 67

Diagnosis: Stroke

History: This gentleman was referred to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation services after hospitalization due to a second stroke which resulted in lower extremity weakness and decreased balance. Prior to this stroke, he lived at home with his wife and walked with a hemi-walker.