Faldkilder

Faldkilder is a term used in Danish and Norwegian to describe factors or sources that contribute to a person’s risk of falling. In healthcare, falls are a major concern for older adults and for people with balance, mobility, or cognitive impairments. Faldkilder are typically divided into intrinsic factors, which arise from the individual, and extrinsic factors, which are environmental or situational.

Intrinsic faldkilder include age-related frailty, reduced vision, dizziness, muscle weakness, balance problems, cognitive impairment, and chronic conditions. Polypharmacy and the use of medications such as sedatives or antihypertensives can also increase fall risk. Extrinsic faldkilder encompass environmental hazards such as poor lighting, uneven floors, loose rugs, clutter, slippery surfaces, and inappropriate footwear, as well as tasks or situations that provoke imbalance or distraction.

Assessment and prevention of falls involve multifactorial risk evaluation performed by healthcare professionals in clinics, hospitals, and home care. Management aims to reduce the identified faldkilder through a combination of interventions: medication review and optimization, vision assessment, and physical exercise programs to improve strength and balance; home safety modifications (clear pathways, grab bars, non-slip surfaces, adequate lighting); use of assistive devices when needed; monitoring and management of orthostatic hypotension; and education for patients and caregivers. Strong evidence supports multifactorial fall prevention programs, particularly for at-risk older adults, as they address multiple faldkilder simultaneously.

See also: Falls, Fall prevention, Geriatrics, Patient safety.