Falls prevention in hospitalised older adults with cognitive impairment: strategies and ethical implications.
Charville, Pi-Jung, Loughrey, Natasha, Chalk, Fiona and Hill, Barry (2026) Falls prevention in hospitalised older adults with cognitive impairment: strategies and ethical implications. Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987). ISSN 2047-9018
Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)Abstract
Falls are the most commonly reported patient safety incident in hospitals in the UK, and a major cause of patient harm. Older adults with cognitive impairment, such as dementia or delirium, are at particular risk of falls in acute settings due, for example, to attempting to mobilise without support, inability to communicate their needs or misjudging danger. Nurses have a central role in falls prevention, balancing patient safety with preserving individuals' dignity and autonomy to ensure that practice is consistent, compassionate and ethically sound. This article explores strategies for reducing the risk of falls in older adults with cognitive impairment in acute settings. The authors discuss patient safety interventions, including the use of enhanced observation and technological devices such as pressure-sensitive mats and bed-exit alarms, and consider the ethical implications of using such interventions. The authors also discuss the importance of multidisciplinary assessment and rehabilitation, as well as education for staff, patients and families, in effective falls prevention practice. [Abstract copyright: © Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom (The) 2026. All rights reserved. Not to be copied, transmitted or recorded in any way, in whole or part, without prior permission of the publishers.]
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | ** From PubMed via Jisc Publications Router ** History: accepted 20-01-2026. |
| Keywords: | older people, mental capacity, dementia, falls, gerontology, teamwork, patient assessment, multidisciplinary teams, ethical issues, ethical practice, cognitive impairment |
| SWORD Depositor: | JISC Router |
| Depositing User: | JISC Router |
| Date Deposited: | 27 Apr 2026 12:10 |
| Last Modified: | 27 Apr 2026 12:10 |
| URI: | https://bnu.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/20932 |
Actions (login required)
 |
Edit Item |