Challenges for Prevention of Falls in Older Age

• Author: Lacramioara Mocanu
• Position: Associate Professor, PhD, Faculty of Communication and International Relations, Specialization Psychology, Danubius University of Galati, Romania
• Pages: 368-373

European Integration - Realities and Perspectives. Proceedings 2020

368

Challenges for Prevention of Falls in Older Age

Lăcrămioara Mocanu1

Abstract: The background papers that underlie this report refer to a considerable body of evidence indicating

the effectiveness of a number of interventions for falls prevention. These include strength and balance

training, environmental modification and medical car e aimed at removing or reducing specific risk factors by

for example review of medications and reduction of polypharmacy. Falls prevention advice is often perceived

as being for other ‘disabled or elderly people’. Programmes that are perceived to impact negatively on self-

image are likely to be unattractive while those, which are viewed as improving skills or characteristics valued

by older p eople, are likely to be more popular. In interviews older people say that they would participate in

falls-prevention initiatives to be proactive in managing their own health needs, maintain independence and

improve confidence.

Keywords: older age; prevention; polypharmacy

1. Changing Behaviour to Prevent Falls

The background papers that underlie this report refer to a considerable body of evidence indicating the

effectiveness of a number of interventions for falls prevention. These include strength and balance

training, environmental modification and medical care aimed at removing or reducing specific risk

factors by for example review of medications and reduction of polypharmacy. The systematic reviews,

evidence syntheses and meta-analyses are well referenced in the briefing papers to be found at the

following WHO URL: http://www.who.int/ageing/projects/falls_ prevention_older_age/en/index.html.

b) When offering or publicizing interventions, promote benefits that fit with a positive

selfidentity.

It seems that many older people do not acknowledge falls, for example because of fear of:

• negative stereotyping;

• beliefs that falls are an inevitable and unavoidable consequence of ageing;

• embarrassment about loss of control.

Falls prevention advice is often perceived as being for other ‘disabled or elderly people’. Programmes

that are perceived to impact negatively on self-image are likely to be unattractive while those, which

are viewed as improving skills or characteristics valued by older people, are likely to be more popular.

In interviews older people say that they would participate in falls-prevention initiatives to be proactive

in managing their own health needs, maintain independence and improve confidence. (et, 2006).

1 Associate Professor, PhD, Faculty of Communication and International Relations, Specialization Psychology, Danubius

University of Galati, Romania, Address: 3 Galati Blvd., 800654 Galati, Romania, Tel.: +40372361102, Fax: +40372361290,

Corresponding author: lacramioaramocanu@univ-danubius.ro.