Strategic Plan to Reduce Falls and all Realated Injuries on the Essay

Strategic Plan to Reduce Falls and all Realated Injuries on the Alzhiemers Disease Unit - Essay Example As the AD progresses, complex motor sequences become disorder, and this issue increases the victims’ risk of falling. In the advanced stage, AD patients will be completely dependent on their caregivers. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2014), falls and fall related injuries constituted the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults in 2010 (CDC). This paper will introduce a strategic plan to reduce falls and all related injuries in Alzheimer Disease Unit. The occurrence of falls in AD victims is very frequent and this problem results in dreadful consequences like fractures, cognitive decline, and lack of independence. Many studies have identified the fatal consequences of falls among AD patients with intend to develop potential prevention/intervention strategies. Statistical data from an Alzheimer’s disease unit in a nursing home in Chicago indicate that there have been 6-7 hips surgeries and one death resulting from fall over the last two months. According to Alzheimer’s Association (2013), 26% of the AD related hospitalizations in 2013 could be attributed to syncope, fall, and trauma. Orcioli-Silva, Simieli, Barbieri, Stella, & Gobbi1 (2012) reflect that as compared to healthy elders, elderly people with AD are highly vulnerable to falls, falling nearly 4-5 times a year. Referring to various studies, the authors add that ‘touched or stumbled on the obstacles’ constitute one of the leading causes of falls in AD patients. High cognitive load in AD patients causes motor changes, which in turn leads to decreased automated motor of gait and increased risk of falling. Kato-Narita and Radanovic (2009) clearly state that â€Å"elderly with dementia have a doubled to threefold risk for the occurrence of falls, probably due to motor impairment, attentional deficits, use of psychotropic medication, and behavioral