Falls among community-dwelling older people

Falls are common among older people and a leading cause of injury-related hospitalisation. The immediate post-hospitalisation period is a risky time for further falls. This paper explores discharge strategies from the perspectives of older people hospitalised for a fall and liaison nurses assisting people to return home.
Thematic analysis revealed three key themes: ‘falls are not a priority’, ‘information not given, or 
given and not retained’ and ‘reduction in confidence and independence’.

Meyer Claudia, Renehan Emma, Batchelor Frances, Said Catherine, Haines Terry, Elliott Rohan, Goeman Dianne (2017) ‘Falls not a priority’: insights on discharging older people, admitted to hospital for a fall, back to the community. Australian Journal of Primary Health 24, 66-73. [open access]