Understanding Fall Risk in Older Adults: The Internal and External Factors

Any resident in your care facility can fall, but certain conditions or situations place certain residents at higher risk. In order to prevent falls, it is important to know what conditions place residents at increased risk of falling. Fall risk factors are usually grouped into two categories: Internal factors and external factors. INTERNAL FACTORS Internal factors of fall risk involve what is going on with the resident him- or herself to increase risk, and include medical conditions and medication effects. Previous falls Residents who have fallen previously are far more likely to fall again. Many residents who fall do so…