Screening for fall risk in the elderly in the capital region of Copenhagen: the need for fall assessment exceeds the present capacity.

INTRODUCTION: As falls in the elderly are a major problem, the Danish National Board of Health recommends systematic screening of 65+ year-olds who visit an emergency department following a fall. MATERIAL AND METHODS: As part of a fall prevention programme, screening for fall risk was carried out in four different settings where health staff meets elderly fallers. All falls were recorded and patients interviewed. RESULTS: A total of 2,016 falls were registered. Among these, 1,074 were accidental episodes of which 413 occurred in elderly patients with good balance. There were significant differences between the various screening locations. Need for fall prevention ranged from 50% to 84%. Elderly who were cognitively or physically impaired and elderly with abuse issues fell frequently and a need for fall preventive actions was observed in up to two of three falls in this subgroup of elderly. CONCLUSION: The study shows that the need for fall prevention is considerable and that the estimated need for fall prevention far exceeds the capacity of geriatric fall clinics. As the number of elderly will increase in coming years, it should be explored to which extent recommendations concerning identification and assessment of elderly fallers are followed and whether recommendations result in fall preventive actions. FUNDING: The project was supported by the Ministry of Interior and Health and by The Fund for Scientific Work in the Geriatric Field within the former Copenhagen Hospital Corporation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.