The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 43 No. 2 - Updates in Rheumatology

Masquerade of Falls and Depression, and Transitions of Care

Xu Bang Yu
The Singapore Family Physician Vol 43 No 2 - Updates in Rheumatology
43 - 46
1 April 2017
0377-5305
Falls in an elderly require a comprehensive bio-psycho-social approach to evaluate for the root causes. These may be multi-factorial, and we need to deal with most of them, if not all, in order to effectively reduce the risk for falls. Frailty is a marker of poor functional outcomes. Sarcopenia is a major modifiable risk factor for frailty. There are various community programmes providing a comprehensive range of services to keep the elderly physically, mentally, and socially active. Communication with primary care physicians is important to ensure smooth transition back into the community, optimal management of chronic diseases and minimal re-admission.