The emotional impact on elderly patients and their relatives of falls has not been widely studied. The authors of this study interviewed a consecutive series of 69 elderly patients admitted to hospital after a fall, together with their carers, to assess the significance of any fear of future falls and to examine other variables that might be associated with such fears. Whilst 25% of the patients expressed a significant fear of falling, 58% of the carers interviewed reported a great fear that their relative/friend might fall again. Fear of falling was primarily related to the emotional rather than the physical status of the patient. An attempt was made to contact all the patients and relatives one month after discharge and further interviews were conducted with those who were successfully followed up. Of the 46 patients re-interviewed, the proportion still reporting a fear of falling had dropped to 19% although the proportion of carers expressing such fears had risen to 66%. Finally there was no evidence that a fear of falling had influenced rehabilitation outcome.

The Mental Capacity Act received Royal Assent on 7 April 2005, and it will be implemented in 2007. The Act defines when someone lacks capacity and it supports people with limited decision-making ability to make as many decisions as possible for themselves. The Act lays down rules for substitute decision making. Someone taking decisions on behalf of the person lacking capacity must act in the best interests of the person concerned and choose the options least restrictive of his or her rights and freedoms. Decision making will be allowed without any formal procedure unless specific provisions apply, such as a written advance decision, lasting powers of attorney or a decision by the court of protection.

No abstract

No abstract