Falls as a Common Problem in Elderly People with Neurological Diseases

Abstract

According to the WHO definition, a fall is defined as an event that causes a person to accidentally land on the ground, floor or other lower level. A fall can cause serious physical injury and may result in death. Neurological diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, stroke or dementia, due to their course, significantly increase the risk of occurrence of this dangerous event. One of the important problems to which attention should be paid in these diseases, unfortunately not very often noticed, are falls. The aim of the study is to present the problem of falls in a group of elderly people with accompanying selected neurological diseases (Parkinson’s disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease), as well as the possibility of their assessment and prevention based on the analysis of the available literature on the subject (literature). According to the literature on the subject, falls are a common problem in neurological diseases, in particular Parkinson’s disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. The frequency of falls that patients experience within one year of the onset of the diseases is high and increases with the progression of the disease. The occurrence of falls has a negative impact on the quality of life of patients, it may be associated with institutionalization and dependence on the caregiver. Fall prevention is an important part of the life of patients with neurological diseases. Raising awareness among patients and their caregivers is essential for them to take care of their health and to consciously prevent falls. The nurse plays an important role in the prevention of falls because she prepares the patient to live with the existing problem and self-care, and provides the patient with safe conditions in the care environment. (JNNN 2022;11(3):137–141)