Falls and the physical environment: a review and a new multifactorial falls-risk conceptual framework.
BACKGROUND
Fall-related injuries result in significant physical and psychological suffering to the affected individuals. The physical environment is considered to have an important role in falls.


OBJECTIVE
To conduct extensive review of and synthesize related literature, and to develop a conceptual framework to explain the relationship among falls, the physical environment, and older adults.


METHODS
Review of the literature was conducted to examine: (a) link between environmental hazards and falls, (b) efficacy of home-modification interventions, and (c) role of the physical environment in falls of people with cognitive impairment.


RESULTS
A strong link between environmental hazards and the risk of falls has yet to be established. A conceptual framework is presented that proposes that an individual's risk for falls can be determined by the interaction of three main factors: mobility, risk-taking behaviour, and physical environment.


CONCLUSIONS
Environmental interventions should be combined with other interventions such as exercise programs and education.
School of Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada. ffeldman@sfu.ca
Fabio
F
Feldman
Habib
H
Chaudhury
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001519:Behavior; D003071:Cognition; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004777:Environment; D004779:Environment Design; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors