Causes of Falls in the Elderly - Differential Diagnosis Algorithm

- Intrinsic Factors - 

Presyncope / Syncope

 • Cardiac

 • Non-Cardiac

Sensory Impairments

 • Vision

 • Vestibular

 • Neuropathy

 • Proprioception

Neurological / Psychiatric

 • Stroke

 • Parkinsonism

 • Cognition

 • Depression

 • Other 

Performance Measures

 • Weakness

 • Decreased Balance

 • Gait Abnormalities

Musculo-skeletal

 • Arthritis

 - Extrinsic Factors - 

Drugs

 • Polypharmacy - esp. > 4 medications

 • Psychotropics

Environment

 • Rugs

 • Stairs

 • Lighting



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