PROFESSIONAL CAPSTONE AND PRACTICUM REFLECTIVE JOURNAL 1
Reducing patient falls. Patients should be 60 years old or older, post surgeries knee\hips, joints
Name
Institution
Date
, REFLECTIVE JOURNAL 2
Introduction
Falls are a major cause of accidents and injuries in people over 60 years. Even the elderly
who appears to be healthy and strong is at the risk of falling and this is a threat to living
independently. Although falls may be inevitable, the chances of falling can be reduced. The fear
of falling affects the elderly in enjoying a quality life. Falls are a marker of immobility, frailty,
and acute and chronic health impairment in older persons. They can result in hip fractures, head
injuries, and knee injury among others. There are different intrinsic and pharmacologic factors
associated with the increased risk of falls in elderly people. Post-acute care after surgeries is
required for these patients. The purpose of this reflective narrative is to present findings on
patients fall of ages 60 years and above. Among the finding to be presented include the new
approaches of preventing falls, how we can collaborate with other professionals, the role of
technology in the improvement of healthcare outcomes, ethical considerations among others.
New practice approaches
Different approaches have been developed to help in preventing falls in the elderly and
ensuring they regain their previous level of mobility and quality of life. Although falls are caused
by the interaction of the person’s balance, prevention strategies need to continuously target
multiple individual and environmental factors to prevent falls. Lack of adherence to general
safety practices and laid down protocols, poor communication, and inadequate assessment of the
elderly are also causes of falling. Some of the strategies I employed are as recommended by the
U.S. Preventive task force. They include exercise or physical therapy and supplementing vitamin
D as a measure to prevent falls (Grossman et al., 2018). The newer approach to preventing falls
includes review and management of medications, especially psychoactive medicines,
environmental modification, training on balance, strength, and gait, and management of postural
Reducing patient falls. Patients should be 60 years old or older, post surgeries knee\hips, joints
Name
Institution
Date
, REFLECTIVE JOURNAL 2
Introduction
Falls are a major cause of accidents and injuries in people over 60 years. Even the elderly
who appears to be healthy and strong is at the risk of falling and this is a threat to living
independently. Although falls may be inevitable, the chances of falling can be reduced. The fear
of falling affects the elderly in enjoying a quality life. Falls are a marker of immobility, frailty,
and acute and chronic health impairment in older persons. They can result in hip fractures, head
injuries, and knee injury among others. There are different intrinsic and pharmacologic factors
associated with the increased risk of falls in elderly people. Post-acute care after surgeries is
required for these patients. The purpose of this reflective narrative is to present findings on
patients fall of ages 60 years and above. Among the finding to be presented include the new
approaches of preventing falls, how we can collaborate with other professionals, the role of
technology in the improvement of healthcare outcomes, ethical considerations among others.
New practice approaches
Different approaches have been developed to help in preventing falls in the elderly and
ensuring they regain their previous level of mobility and quality of life. Although falls are caused
by the interaction of the person’s balance, prevention strategies need to continuously target
multiple individual and environmental factors to prevent falls. Lack of adherence to general
safety practices and laid down protocols, poor communication, and inadequate assessment of the
elderly are also causes of falling. Some of the strategies I employed are as recommended by the
U.S. Preventive task force. They include exercise or physical therapy and supplementing vitamin
D as a measure to prevent falls (Grossman et al., 2018). The newer approach to preventing falls
includes review and management of medications, especially psychoactive medicines,
environmental modification, training on balance, strength, and gait, and management of postural
