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Clinical PracticeFree Preview

Preventing Falls in Elderly Persons

List of authors.
  • Mary E. Tinetti, M.D.

A 79-year-old woman with a history of congestive heart failure, arthritis, depression, and difficulty sleeping presents for a follow-up visit. She takes several prescription medications, including an antidepressant, a diuretic, an angiotensin-converting–enzyme inhibitor, and a beta-blocker, as well as over-the-counter sleep and allergy medications. Her chronic conditions appear to be stable. Her daughter reports that the patient has fallen twice during the past six months. What can be done to prevent future falls?

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Author Affiliations

From the Departments of Internal Medicine and of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St., P.O. Box 208025, New Haven, CT 06520-8025, where reprint requests can be addressed to Dr. Tinetti.

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