Falls, especially in the older person with diabetes, result in significant adverse physical, psychological and social consequences. The latter include increased anxiety, depression and isolation. A loss of independence, and the potential need for long-term care or institutionalization are themselves added and under-recognized outcomes following a fall.
A complex interplay exists between diabetic neuropathy, vision impairment, hypoglycaemia and other comorbidities such orthostatic hypotension, which underscores the need for targeted interventions to reduce fall risk in people with diabetes.
Numerous risk-screening tools are available for healthcare providers to assess fall risk among independent community-dwelling older adults. The World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (WHO-ICF) components (body functions and structures, activities and participation, personal factors and environmental factors) are helpful in guiding the identification and categorization of fall risk factors among such adult populations.
It is clear that the adoption of preventive strategies is mandatory. This reinforces the importance of education in the rational use of medications, especially, together with nutritional support and physical activities that contribute to a decrease in the risk of falls in older adults with diabetes. Another result of these preventive measures would be a reduction in healthcare costs, considering the high level of care required and the increased length of hospital stays associated with falls in this population.
