Guidance on Urinary Symptoms and Fall Risks

Course overview

Among nursing home residents, falls are a leading cause of injuries. Falls are typically linked to underlying health problems, such as dementia, mobility impairment or medication side effects. Urinary symptoms (US), such as urgency, frequency, nocturia, etc. are associated with an increased likelihood of falling. Residents with US often engage in potentially risky behaviors, such arising from bed several times during the night, mostly under conditions of poor illumination, to urinate. To make matters worse, residents often need to hurry to the toilet in order to not wet themselves, which increases their risk of falls. Consequently, addressing US represents a potential target for interventions aimed at reducing falls in nursing home residents. Unfortunately, while residents with US have repeatedly been shown to be at significant risk for falls, focusing on US alone, without addressing the resident fall risk status, has not resulted in any decrease in fall risk. This course discusses the causes of falls and fractures, and the urologic conditions that increase their risk, and focuses on how nursing staff can potentially prevent falls by addressing US and vice versa, on how reducing fall risk can benefit residents with US.