This essay is about accident prevention in the older adult at home. Relevant health promotion theories and model shall be used, sociological and psychological determinants affecting health will be discussed
This essay is about accident prevention in the older adult at home. Relevant health promotion theories and model shall be used, sociological and psychological determinants affecting health will be discussed. Relevant policies, documents, and government reports shall be included. The role of the nurse will be explained in relation to health promotion. Epidemiological, statistical evidence to accidents in the home will be included and why illness is a major life event.
Dr Manish (2007) explains that "health" is an elusive word. Most people who consider themselves healthy are not. And many people, who are suffering from some known disease, may be relatively healthy. Health is a concept which does not merely relate to the absence of disease, of healthy working organs, or having good thoughts. Health is a holistic concept. It relates to a person as a whole. Not just the person you see, but also the person you feel. Health is a tri-une of three parts: emotional health, mental health and physical health."
According to Heinrich (1931), who developed the domino theory, "88% of all accidents are caused by unsafe acts of people, 10% by unsafe actions, and 2% by "acts of God." He proposed a "five-factor accident sequence" in which each factor would actuate the next step in the manner of toppling dominoes lined up in a row. The sequence of accident factors are: ancestry and social environment, worker fault, unsafe act together with mechanical and physical hazard, accident, and damage or injury.
In the health of the nation white paper published in July 1992 the government said that the National Health Service management executive would commission handbooks on possible local approaches to each of the five key areas identified in the white paper: Coronary heart disease and stroke, cancers, mental illness, accidents and HIV/Aids and sexual health.
The Department of health, social services, and public safety (2004) explains that "their strategy aims is to reduce the number of accidental deaths and injuries in the home." A five year plan will be set up to make people aware of dangers and to promote awareness in the prevention of home accidents. This will happen through an integrated partnership approach including statutory, voluntary and community sectors.
The strategies aims are to reduce accidents in the home, make people aware of what can cause accidents and how to prevent or lower the amount of accidents, promoting training, skills and knowledge in the prevention of accidents, in the home to all organisations, groups and individuals, using evidence based practice, models of good practice, and by looking at accident prevention initiatives.
The Department of Health (1992) suggests that tertiary prevention by accident and emergency departments, general practitioners, voluntary agencies and others involved in the treatment of accidental injuries, will contribute to the overall objective of reducing ill-health, disability, and death from accidents. Local, health visitor staffs such as health visitors and occupational therapists are in a position to help identify hazardous environments or products; it is the local authority environmental health and trading standards department who have regulatory responsibilities for environmental health and product safety. It is those departments who have information as well as promotional material available for health service staff to use and experience initiatives such as home safety check systems. The Department of Health (1992) continue to say that many accidents occur in old age where physical frailty, and falls are a big concern. It is estimated that sixty per cent of falls occur in the home. Falls result in injury, some older people may not recover, and long-term effects are hard to determine. An association has been found between falls and risk factors such as a decline in vision, balance, sensory perception, strength, and neuromuscular function. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (2000) explain that falls in older people can happen due to tripping hazards on stairs. Carers can help by identifying hazards and making known resources to help and informing older people to be aware of the risk of climbing unstable chairs, stools and explaining the dangers of slipping and tripping created by loose or worn rugs, slippery floors or paths, uneven surfaces and things left lying around. Sheahan and Coons (1995) believe that the psychological effects of falls can be more damaging than the physical injury. The fear of future falls, combined with a reduced level of personal confidence may be sufficient to inhibit future mobility levels. The consequences are a reduced level of independence, isolation, lower levels of social contact and depression. Oakley, et al., (1996) explains that research shows that there are a wide range of risk factors to falls: Vitamin D and calcium deficiencies, medication can cause dizziness and can affect mobility, weak muscles, poor balance associated with lack of exercise, physical disability and lack of mobility and mental functioning which includes; cognitive impairment, depression, acute and chronic diseases and disorders. Environmental hazards: loose carpets, poor lighting, badly fitting shoes. Lifestyle factors: alcohol, and a history of previous falls. The Directorate of Information and Clinical Effectiveness (DICE) (2002) explain that in Scotland, those aged 75 and over are at the highest risk of accidental death and injury, particularly from falls. 30% of the over-65s report a fall in the last year, rising to 40% in the over-80s, and higher in the frailest of older people and those with dementia. Fractures are the most common injury in older women, over 90% being hip fractures, resulting from a fall. Osteoporosis increases the chance of fractures. Between 5 and 10% of falls result in injury, the most common injuries are fractures which account for 40% of deaths, over half of injury admissions to hospital, and two thirds of bed days for injury. Fuller (2000) explains that 90% of hip fractures are caused by falls. Hip fracture survivors experience a 10% to 15% reduction to their life expectancy and their quality of life is greatly affected.
Dr Manish (2007) explains that "health" is an elusive word. Most people who consider themselves healthy are not. And many people, who are suffering from some known disease, may be relatively healthy. Health is a concept which does not merely relate to the absence of disease, of healthy working organs, or having good thoughts. Health is a holistic concept. It relates to a person as a whole. Not just the person you see, but also the person you feel. Health is a tri-une of three parts: emotional health, mental health and physical health."
According to Heinrich (1931), who developed the domino theory, "88% of all accidents are caused by unsafe acts of people, 10% by unsafe actions, and 2% by "acts of God." He proposed a "five-factor accident sequence" in which each factor would actuate the next step in the manner of toppling dominoes lined up in a row. The sequence of accident factors are: ancestry and social environment, worker fault, unsafe act together with mechanical and physical hazard, accident, and damage or injury.
In the health of the nation white paper published in July 1992 the government said that the National Health Service management executive would commission handbooks on possible local approaches to each of the five key areas identified in the white paper: Coronary heart disease and stroke, cancers, mental illness, accidents and HIV/Aids and sexual health.
The Department of health, social services, and public safety (2004) explains that "their strategy aims is to reduce the number of accidental deaths and injuries in the home." A five year plan will be set up to make people aware of dangers and to promote awareness in the prevention of home accidents. This will happen through an integrated partnership approach including statutory, voluntary and community sectors.
The strategies aims are to reduce accidents in the home, make people aware of what can cause accidents and how to prevent or lower the amount of accidents, promoting training, skills and knowledge in the prevention of accidents, in the home to all organisations, groups and individuals, using evidence based practice, models of good practice, and by looking at accident prevention initiatives.
The Department of Health (1992) suggests that tertiary prevention by accident and emergency departments, general practitioners, voluntary agencies and others involved in the treatment of accidental injuries, will contribute to the overall objective of reducing ill-health, disability, and death from accidents. Local, health visitor staffs such as health visitors and occupational therapists are in a position to help identify hazardous environments or products; it is the local authority environmental health and trading standards department who have regulatory responsibilities for environmental health and product safety. It is those departments who have information as well as promotional material available for health service staff to use and experience initiatives such as home safety check systems. The Department of Health (1992) continue to say that many accidents occur in old age where physical frailty, and falls are a big concern. It is estimated that sixty per cent of falls occur in the home. Falls result in injury, some older people may not recover, and long-term effects are hard to determine. An association has been found between falls and risk factors such as a decline in vision, balance, sensory perception, strength, and neuromuscular function. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (2000) explain that falls in older people can happen due to tripping hazards on stairs. Carers can help by identifying hazards and making known resources to help and informing older people to be aware of the risk of climbing unstable chairs, stools and explaining the dangers of slipping and tripping created by loose or worn rugs, slippery floors or paths, uneven surfaces and things left lying around. Sheahan and Coons (1995) believe that the psychological effects of falls can be more damaging than the physical injury. The fear of future falls, combined with a reduced level of personal confidence may be sufficient to inhibit future mobility levels. The consequences are a reduced level of independence, isolation, lower levels of social contact and depression. Oakley, et al., (1996) explains that research shows that there are a wide range of risk factors to falls: Vitamin D and calcium deficiencies, medication can cause dizziness and can affect mobility, weak muscles, poor balance associated with lack of exercise, physical disability and lack of mobility and mental functioning which includes; cognitive impairment, depression, acute and chronic diseases and disorders. Environmental hazards: loose carpets, poor lighting, badly fitting shoes. Lifestyle factors: alcohol, and a history of previous falls. The Directorate of Information and Clinical Effectiveness (DICE) (2002) explain that in Scotland, those aged 75 and over are at the highest risk of accidental death and injury, particularly from falls. 30% of the over-65s report a fall in the last year, rising to 40% in the over-80s, and higher in the frailest of older people and those with dementia. Fractures are the most common injury in older women, over 90% being hip fractures, resulting from a fall. Osteoporosis increases the chance of fractures. Between 5 and 10% of falls result in injury, the most common injuries are fractures which account for 40% of deaths, over half of injury admissions to hospital, and two thirds of bed days for injury. Fuller (2000) explains that 90% of hip fractures are caused by falls. Hip fracture survivors experience a 10% to 15% reduction to their life expectancy and their quality of life is greatly affected.
