[Role of psychiatry in prevention of accidental falling in the aged].

The high incidence of falling among the psychogeriatric patients has recently been acknowledged. Elderly patients with depression and dementia, and long-term hospitalized schizophrenic patients are particularly prone to falling. By sustaining falling, these patients suffer from not only injuries including femoral neck fracture but also consequent fall-phobia. As the results, quality of life and the prognosis of psychiatric illnesses of the fallers are affected. In order to prevent fallings, we must pay attention to the prescribed drugs, nursing issues and environmental aspects of wards. Muscle strengthening exercises may be especially useful for the prevention of falls among long-term hospitalized schizophrenic patients.