[Ability to avoid falls among aged residents in a barrier-free welfare institution].
This study was carried out to investigate the physical functions of the elderly, living in a barrier-free home for the aged and to obtain basic data for giving appropriate guidance on exercise and daily life. A total of 38 women were tested. These included 18 persons (aged 72-87: mean: 80.7) who were living in the home for the aged, and 20 (aged 75-86: mean: 78.3) who voluntarily participated in the "fall prevention school", established in Tokyo Kosei-Nenkin Hospital. The following examinations were done: 1) BMI, Waist/Hip ratio; 2) good walker's index consisting of 10 m walking times, maximum length of steps, and 40 cm-staircase climbing; and 3) equilibrium examination done by gravinography. Statistical analysis was carried out using a paired t-test (p < 0.01). Values for the "good-walker's index" were significantly lower in, the "home" group than in the "school" group (p < 0.01). This was especially obvious with 40 cm-staircase climbing. Many of the subjects from the institution group required assistance and there was a significant difference in the chi-squire square distribution between the two groups. Furthermore, on gravinography, the "home" group had significantly inferior values in total length (cm) and Romberg's ratio (p < 0.01). It was clear that residents in the barrier-free home had a significant reduction in good-walker's index, indicating an apparent weakening of physical function.
Komatsu
T
T
Department of Rehabilitation, Tokyo Kosei-Nenkin Hospital, Japan.
Tanaka
N
N
Mutoh
Y
Y
Ohta-Fukushima
M
M
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D014853:Walkers