<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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<italic>This paper reviews the current literature to identify the way an orientation and mobility (O&amp;M) instructor could effectively predict and/or reduce falls in the Australian-based elderly population with vision impairment. Common causes of falls associated with elderly people with vision impairment are discussed as are the shortcomings of falls prevention programs. Three assessment tools used to predict an individual’s risk of falling for the first time have been reviewed. Of the three, the QuickScreen tool could be readily used by an O&amp;M instructor working with clients in their home that appears to be an efficient and cost effective resource providing the base for a successful falls prevention program.</italic>
</p>
</abstract>

This paper reviews the current literature to identify the way an orientation and mobility (O&M) instructor could effectively predict and/or reduce falls in the Australian-based elderly population with vision impairment. Common causes of falls associated with elderly people with vision impairment are discussed as are the shortcomings of falls prevention programs. Three assessment tools used to predict an individual’s risk of falling for the first time have been reviewed. Of the three, the QuickScreen tool could be readily used by an O&M instructor working with clients in their home that appears to be an efficient and cost effective resource providing the base for a successful falls prevention program.

A Step to Prevent Falls in the Elderly: A Literature Review

Vision Rehabilitation International

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"A Step to Prevent Falls in the Elderly: A Literature Review"}

This paper reviews the current literature to identify the way an orientation and mobility (O&M) instructor could effectively predict and/or reduce falls in the...

A Step to Prevent Falls in the Elderly: A Literature Review

Published Online: Jan 01, 2013

Page range: 45 - 52

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21307/ijom-2013-005

© 2013 Jessica Taylor et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.