DELHI GETS ITS 1ST DEDICATED CLINIC TO REMEDY FREQUENT FALL CASES AMONG VULNERABLE PEOPLE
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Fall Clinic |
An emerging concept, not only in
India but globally, the fall clinic will carry out a ‘Fall Risk Assessment’ of
patients and then offer a fall prevention plan that will be custom made to the
patient’s requirement depending upon risk factors identified.
Dr. (Major) Rajesh Bhardwaj, Director,
Medfirst Healthcare Pvt Ltd, who is the brainchild behind the concept says that
fall clinic will introduce steps that senior citizens and other vulnerable
sections of society can take to reduce falls.
“My mother was prone to falling
and had a bad fall a few years ago. This prompted me to look into this area and
to find out more. As our population ages the total incidence of falls will
increase. At the same time, our enhanced understanding of the problem ensures
that more falls are being reported than before,” Dr. Bhardwaj, ENT Specialist.
According to the World Health
Organization (WHO) global report on falls prevention, people aged 65 years and
above fall about 28% to 35% of time in each year and this proportion increases
as age and frailty level increase. The prevalence of falls in India, above the
age of 60 years, is reported to be in the range 14% to 53%.
A trained ENT Specialist or Otorhinolaryngologist,
Dr. Bhardwaj says that, musculoskeletal, visual, neurological factors, hearing
impairment, medication and faulty design – rooms, lighting etc. are common
causes of such falls reported among senior citizens. “By showing empathy, support, introducing
design improvement, showing patience by not hurrying them when walking with
them etc., one can be more mindful of senior citizens who are vulnerable to
fall,” he says.
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