Falls

Dr Darowski trained in Cambridge and London. He was appointed as a Consultant in East Berkshire in 1989, and ran a Falls clinic in East Berkshire from 1995 until he came to Oxford to develop a new Falls Service in 2001.

This book provides useful guidance on assessment, aids and promoting safety. It is a readable and information-rich generic guide and recommended for anyone involved in the support or care of older people.

• 1. Introduction ; 2. How do we stay upright? ; 3. Why do people fall? ; 4. What causes simple falls? Trips, slips, and the effects of illness ; 5. How do poor balance and muscle weakness contribute to falls? ; 6. Difficulty walking and poor gait ; 7. What causes giddiness? ; 8. What is vertigo? ; 9. How can the heart and circulation contribute to falls? ; 10. Medicines and falls ; 11. Confusion, poor memory and falls ; 12. Visual problems that can contribute to falls ; 13. How does neurological disease cause falls? ; 14. Osteoporosis and falls ; 15. Fear of falling ; 16. How do falls affect the family and carers? ; 17. How to improve strength and balance ; 18. What is the role of falls groups and exercise classes? ; 19. How can your world be made safer? ; 20. How can walking aids help? ; 21. What role do diet and vitamin deficiencies have in causing falls? ; 22. What causes falls in care homes? ; 23. Why do people fall in hosptial? ; 24. What should I do if I fall?