Conclusions: Anemia in nursing home

Conclusions: Anemia in nursing home residents appears to be under-recognized. For residents over 70 years, the prevalenceof anemia in both male and female residents was approximately four times the rate reported in a study of older community dwellers (Salive et al., 1992). Both anemia and the use of psychoactive medications are potentially modifiable factors strongly associated with falling. Since falls and related fractures are events associated with high morbidity and mortality, each of these factors deserves special consideration for potentially reducing the risk of such events in the nursing home.

Conclusions: Anemia in nursing home residents appears to be under-recognized. For residents over 70 years, the prevalence
of anemia in both male and female residents was approximately four times the rate reported in a study of older community dwellers (Salive et al., 1992). Both anemia and the use of psychoactive medications are potentially modifiable factors strongly associated with falling. Since falls and related fractures are events associated with high morbidity and mortality, each of these factors deserves special consideration for potentially reducing the risk of such events in the nursing home.