Falls In Alzheimer's Population

Target Problem –
Frequency of falls in the Alzheimer’s Population in Nursing homes The problem to be addressed is the frequency of falls in the Alzheimer’s disease population in the long-term care settings and a consistent falls prevention training through collaboration with nurse practitioners. Falls are frequent in the nursing home; there is an average of about 1.5 falls per nursing home bed per year. Even though most falls are non-injurious, 10% to 20% resulted in hospitalization; twenty percent of falls are at 65 years, and older resulted in death, 35% of falls causes severe injuries, and 8% resulted in fracture (CDC, 2017). There is a mandate for primary care providers such as NPs and PAs who care for residents in the nursing home
The progression of the disease is not only manifested by losses in function and cognition; it has a significant impact on somatic and autonomy conditions (Nourhashemi et al, 2010). It is a chronic debilitating illness which is characterized by a decline in cognitive abilities, the ability to execute Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and an increase in behavioral disturbances; approximately 80% of Alzheimer’s disease patients experience various symptoms of behavioral disturbance. Patients display a variety of anxiety, agitation, and apathy throughout the progression of the illness (Alzheimer’s Association,
In the Alzheimer’s patient agitation and aggression cause an increase in falls (Alzheimer’s Association, 2015). Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) cause severe distress to patients and caregivers: increasing the need for healthcare resource utilization of psychiatric and institutionalized care. Symptoms that are displayed ranges from verbal aggression, biting or spitting to intentional or unintentional falls. It is estimated that 42% to 72% of residents in nursing home have dementia, and 50% to 60% of all dementia is Alzheimer’s disease; this diagnosis carries a high risk for falls. Factors that contribute to fall risk in patients with dementia include environmental hazards, multiple comorbidities, use of restraints, and medications (such as anti-depressants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories drug, vasodilators, and anxiolytics). Patients display; postural hypotension, Impaired Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), and Mini-Mental Scores below twenty. Males are known to fall more than females in the nursing homes (Mirolsky-Scale & Kraemer,