Dizziness in Elders- Defined and Differentiated- At one time or other, most people have experienced dizziness, one of the vaguest complaints health professionals face in practice, because what each person calls dizziness differs greatly. Some describe it as poor balance, lightheadedness, wooziness or spinning, while others may say they feel as if they are about to faint. Trying to put into words what they are feeling can be difficult. All of this leads to the word “dizziness” being nearly useless as a one-word description. To properly care for patients with dizziness, care providers need to be able to differentiate the types of symptoms — vertigo, disequilibrium (unsteadiness, imbalance), near syncope (lightheadedness), central dizziness and nonspecific dizziness — especially reported dizziness in older adults.
Differentiate among the types of dizziness.
Describe age-related and pathologic causes of dizziness in older adults.
Outline the essential elements in the assessment of patients with dizziness and in the implementation of interventions, including rationales.1.0 Free AOTA Contact Hours for Occupational Therapists
Expires 11/21/15
Gannet Education
