Hong Kong Reference Framework

for Preventive Care for Older Adults

in Primary Care Settings

Module on Falls in Elderly

Revised Edition 2016

First published: 2015

Module on Falls in Elderly

Content
1. Importance of Falls ………………………………………………………………….. 3
1.1. Epidemiology ………………………………………………………………….. 3
1.2. Common conditions leading to falls in older adults in Hong Kong ………...…... 3
2. Screening ……….……………………………………………………….…………….. 4
2.1. History ………………………………………………………….……………….. 4
2.2. Tests …….………………………………………………………………………... 4
3. Post-screening assessment ………..…………………………………..………..…….. 5
3.1. History ……………………………………………………………..…………….. 5
3.2. Physical examination ….……………………………………..…….……………. 5
3.3. Investigations and referrals ….…………………………..…….……..………….. 5
4. Management …………………………………………………..…….………..……….. 5
4.1. Physical activity ……………………………………………………..………….. 6
4.2. Healthy eating habit and balanced diet ….…………………………..………….. 6
4.3. Awareness to adverse drug reactions ….…………….…………………….…….. 6
4.4. Overcoming visual impairment ….…………………….….…………………….. 7
4.5. Home safety ….…………………………………………………..….………….. 7
4.6. Referral ….………………………………………………………..…………….. 7
4.7. Community Resources ….……………………………….………………..…….. 8
4.8. Algorithm for falls screening, subsequent assessment and management for older
people ………………………………….……………….……………………….. 9
Annex: Timed Up and Go Test ….………………………………….………..…....….….. 10
Acknowledgments ……………….…….……………………..….………………..……….. 11
References …………………………….……………………..….……….………..……….. 12

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 Module on Falls in Elderly

Module on Falls in Elderly

1. Importance of Falls

Fall is defined as a subject’s unintentional coming to rest on the ground or at a lower

level with or without loss of consciousness.1 Falls are a major cause of morbidity and
mortality in older population. They are also associated with fear of falling, functional
decline and early admission to residential care home. According to the Core Document
of this Reference Framework, primary care providers are recommended to assess the
risk of falls in older adults opportunistically.2

1.1. Epidemiology
Between 30% and 40% of community dwelling older adults aged over 65 fall at least
once every year, the rates are higher after 75 and among old age home residents.2,3
The annual fall rates in local elderly population ranged from some twenty to thirty
percent, with almost half of falls occurred indoors and a higher incidence was found in
winter. 4 Majority of fallers reported injuries while fractures occurred in around
9.9%.5

1.2. Common conditions leading to falls in older adults in Hong Kong

Falls in older adults are usually the interplay between intrinsic factors (e.g. muscle
weakness), extrinsic factors (e.g. obstacles in the path) and/or risky behavior. Local
and Chinese population studies have found the following independent risk factors for
falls in older people:5-7

 Women  Living alone  Fear of falling

 Increasing age  Multiple medications use  Use of walking
aids
 Fall history  Gait abnormalities or  Self perceived
instability poor health
 Decline in basic or  Co-morbidities, like
instrumental diabetes mellitus and eye
activity of daily problems
living (ADL)

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Module on Falls in Elderly

2. Screening

2.1. History
Under-reporting of fall is common. Hence, direct questioning is often required for
case finding.8 Opportunistic screening for older people (age > 65) at medical
encounters at least once every 12 months is recommended. Any positive answer to
the following screening questions signifies that the person screened is at a high risk of
fall that warrants further evaluation.
 Whether there is history of two or more falls within the last twelve months?
 Whether the patient is presented with acute fall?
 Whether there is presence of clinical conditions (e.g. stroke, Parkinson’s
disease, osteoarthritis) that leads to either weakness of the lower limb,
balance and/or gait impairment?

2.2. Tests
Balance and gait should be evaluated in persons with history of fall or fall risk. The
Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) is a frequently used test of gait or balance.9

The Timed Up and Go Test is to measure the time to rise from the chair, walk at
regular pace for 3 metres, turn around and walk back to the chair and finally sit down.
Cut off values for fall risk are variable in literatures, which may reflect different
subjects characteristics and methodologies.10 The cut off value of 14 seconds is
conventionally adopted to discriminate fallers and non-fallers in healthy, highly
functional older people.11 On the other hand, in frail elderly, a time score of less than
20 seconds identifies elderly people who are independently mobile while more than 30
seconds indicates a need of assistance for mobility task.9 The TUG should be
considered together with other relevant factors (e.g. medical and drug history, physical
assessment, circumstances of the fall) to identify individuals at high risk of falls.12

Please refer to the Annex for further details of the Timed Up and Go Test.

There are other tests which could be used to test gait or balance. Among them
includes the One Leg Balance Test which is a simple clinical static balance test that
can provide information on the risk of injurious falls in community-dwelling older
adults.13,14

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 Module on Falls in Elderly

3. Post-screening assessment

3.1. History
A fall-focused history should include frequency of falling, time, place, activity and
symptoms at the time of fall (for example dizziness or syncope), precipitating causes
and consequences, like injury. Witness(es) should be sought to look for unrecognized
syncope due to amnesia and also for fallers with cognitive impairment. Other
relevant history includes past medical illnesses and medications, for example
psychotropic, sedative and hypnotic drugs.

3.2. Physical examination

Physical examination should include testing of gait, balance and lower limb joint
function. Postural blood pressure and vision should also be checked. Other
neurological or cardiovascular examination, like mental status, extra-pyramidal
functions, muscle power and heart rate etc should be checked whenever necessary.
Feet should be examined for corns, bunion and deformity and footwear should also be
examined.

3.3. Investigations and referrals

Investigations and referrals to geriatricians or allied health professionals should
be guided by history and physical findings. For referral criteria, please refer to
Section 4.6 of this Module for further information.

4. Management
Primary care providers have important role in fall prevention, identification and
management among older adults. For older adults with history of falls, the causes of
the falls should be carefully assessed. Any acute or reversible deficits should be
properly treated to reduce the cumulative burden of the deficits, such as improvement
of vision and footwear or drug review. In particular, patients with falls and syncope
or presyncope (which are common causes of falls) should be worked up and managed
accordingly. Possible causes include postural hypotension, cardiac arrhythmia or
neurological diseases etc.

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Hong Kong Reference Framework for Preventive Care for Older Adults in Primary Care Settings
Module on Falls in Elderly

Older persons with a single fall without reported or demonstrable balance and gait
abnormalities may not require further extensive fall risk assessment.8 Nevertheless,
for this group of older adults and those who do not have recent falls, primary care
providers should also identify whether there are risk factors and give appropriate
advice and interventions, and refer the patients to specialists if necessary.

Primary care doctors are encouraged to promote practice of healthy lifestyle as it is

conducive to healthy ageing as well as fall prevention. Consultation and advice may
also focus on reducing the risk factors of falls.

4.1. Physical activity

Exercise, as a single or part of multifactorial intervention, is recommended in reducing
falls in community dwelling older people.15 Challenging balance exercise, like Tai
Chi or Otago Exercise Program, in home or group setting, when performed for two
hours or more per week is effective to prevent fall. Besides, muscle strengthening
and endurance exercise are also helpful. Brisk walking alone is not recommended for
fall prevention.16 It should be noted that adaptation is required for people with
limited exercise tolerance or cognitive impairment.

4.2. Healthy eating habit and balanced diet

A healthy balanced diet rich in calcium and Vitamin D is recommended. Vitamin D
supplementation reduces falls in patients with low Vitamin D level and should also be
considered for older adults who are susceptible to deficiency, such as residents of old
age home. 8,16,17 Vitamin D supplementation of at least 800IU could be considered for
older adults who would be susceptible to Vitamin D deficiency.

4.3. Awareness to adverse drug reactions

Primary care providers should always review older people’s current medication to
avoid drug induced sedating effect or hypotension. For instance, psychoactive
medications increase fall risk in older people and should be avoided, reduced or
withdrawn as far as possible. These include long or short acting benzodiazepam,
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or other antidepressants, typical and atypical
antipsychotics as well hypnotics like Zolpidem and Zopiclone. Primary care doctors
should be cautious about the use of such medications and consider to limit their use at
lowest dosage to patients who do not respond to non-pharmacological intervention or
alternative treatment. Periodic review of indications and side effects of medications
should be undertaken. Various tapering schedules of benzodiazepam have been
described and one example is stepped withdrawal of 25% of equivalent diazepam dose
per week.16

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 Module on Falls in Elderly

4.4. Overcoming visual impairment

Visual impairment is an independent risk factor for falls. Cataract surgery on the first
eye should be expedited in older person in whom surgery is indicated.18 Multifocal
lens increase fall risk by reducing contrast sensitivity and depth perception in the
lower visual field during outdoor activities and stairs walking. For older adults
having regular outdoor activities, single lens glasses should be worn instead.19,20

4.5. Home safety

Home safety assessment and modification with transfer training and education are
effective in reducing falls in high risk population, such as patients with severe visual
impairment. Appropriate footwear should be suggested to all older adult. The
benefits are greatest when delivered by an occupational therapist or as part of a
multifactorial strategy.16,20

Older adults should be counseled on their individual fall risk and potential implications,
as underestimation of fall risk is frequent. Strategies to maintain independent living
in general should be emphasized and the positive aspects of fall prevention such as
social and health benefits should be highlighted.15

4.6. Referral
Patients with high fall risk might benefit from referrals to geriatricians or Fall Clinic
for multi-factorial assessment and intervention.8 These include patients with:

a. Recurrent falls: two or more falls in past one year

b. Acute falls: falls requiring medical attention or presenting to emergency
department
c. Demonstrating or reporting gait and or balance problem

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Module on Falls in Elderly

4.7. Community Resources

The following are community resources on falls for elderly people:

Falls Prevention
http://www.elderly.gov.hk/english/healthy_ageing/home_safety/falls.html
足不可失─長者防跌小貼士
http://www.elderly.gov.hk/tc_chi/healthy_ageing/home_safety/falls.html

Elderly Safety
http://www.elderly.gov.hk/english/healthy_ageing/home_safety/elderly_safety.html
認識長者安全
http://www.elderly.gov.hk/tc_chi/healthy_ageing/home_safety/elderly_safety.html

Foot Care
http://www.elderly.gov.hk/english/healthy_ageing/selfcare/footcare.html
足部護理
http://www.elderly.gov.hk/tc_chi/healthy_ageing/selfcare/footcare.html

Elderly self-care tips

http://www.elderly.gov.hk/english/healthy_ageing/selfcare/index.html
長者個人護理貼士
http://www.elderly.gov.hk/tc_chi/healthy_ageing/selfcare/index.html

Leaflets for fall prevention and emergency management (in Chinese version only):
長者防跌錦囊
http://www21.ha.org.hk/files/PDF/self%20tools_printed%20matter/fall%20prevention.pdf
緊急事故篇
http://www21.ha.org.hk/files/PDF/self%20management%20tips/emergency.pdf

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Hong Kong Reference Framework for Preventive Care for Older Adults in Primary Care Settings
 Module on Falls in Elderly

4.8. Algorithm for falls screening, subsequent assessment and management for older people
(Modified from Hong Kong Geriatrics Society Curriculum in Geriatrics Medicine 21)

Opportunistic Screening for older people (age > 65)

at medical encounters at least once every 12 months

Any one or more of the following? Required detailed

1. Had 2 falls in past 12 months? Yes Loss of Yes cardiovascular and
2. Presented with acute fall? consciousness? neurological
3. Difficulty with walking or balance? assessment

No

No Assessment :
1 Circumstances of fall
Had one fall in Yes Timed Up and 2 Environment
past 12 months? Go Test 3 Medical / drug history
4 Physical assessment e.g. vital signs, gait
Yes and balance, visual acuity, cardiovascular,
neurological, lower limb power, feet and footwear
>14 seconds OR
No Abnormal / unsteady gait?

Consider multidisciplinary / multifactorial interventions

1 Adjust medications
Health advice on No Consider referral
2 Exercise program to specialist
fall prevention and 3 Treat visual impairment and medical conditions for further
reassess periodically 4 Vitamin D supplement management
5 Modify home environment, advice on footwear and use of
walking aids if needed

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Module on Falls in Elderly

Annex: Timed Up and Go Test 9,10,11,12

Instructions:
1.. Begin the test with the patient sitting correctly in a standard arm chair (approximate
seat height of 46 cm), the patient’s back should rest on the back of the chair. The
chair should be stable and positioned such that it will not move when patient
moves from sitting to standing.
2.. Mark on the floor 3 metres away from the chair so that it is easily seen by the
patient.
3.. Ask the patient to perform the following series of manoeuvres:
 Rise from the chair
 Walk at regular pace for 3 metres to the mark on the floor, customary walking
aid is allowed
 Turn around and walk back to the chair
 Sit down in the chair
4.. Start timing when patient rise from the chair and stop timing when the patient is
seated again correctly in the chair.
5.. The patient may use any walking aid that is usually used during ambulation, but may
not be assisted by another person.
6. The patient can be given a practice trial that is not timed before testing.

Interpretation:
Balance and gait should be evaluated in persons with history of fall or fall risk. The
Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) is a frequently used test of gait or balance. The Timed
Up and Go Test is to measure the time to rise from the chair, walk at regular pace for 3
metres, turn around and walk back to the chair and finally sit down. Cut off values for
fall risk are variable in literatures, which may reflect different subjects characteristics
and methodologies. The cut off value of 14 seconds is conventionally adopted to
discriminate fallers and non-fallers in healthy, highly functional older people. On the
other hand, in frail elderly, a time score of less than 20 seconds identifies elderly
people who are independently mobile while more than 30 seconds indicates a need of
assistance for mobility task. TUG should be considered together with other relevant
factors (e.g. medical and drug history, physical assessment, circumstances of the fall)
to identify individuals at high risk of falls.

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Hong Kong Reference Framework for Preventive Care for Older Adults in Primary Care Settings
 Module on Falls in Elderly

Acknowledgments
The Department of Health gratefully acknowledges the
invaluable support and contribution of the Hong Kong
Geriatrics Society in the development of this Module.

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References

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09/11, 2012.
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