A cross-sectional study of the prevalence, correlates, and costs of falls in older home care clients 'at risk' for falling.
This study examined the six-month prevalence, risk factors, and costs of falls in older people using home support services who are at risk of falling. Of the 109 participants, 70.6 per cent reported >or= one fall in the previous six months, and 27.5 per cent experienced multiple falls. Although there was no statistically significant difference in any fall-related risk factor between fallers (1+ falls) and non-fallers (0 falls), fallers had clinically important trends towards lower levels of physical, social, and psychological functioning. There was no statistically significant difference between fallers and non-fallers in the total per-person costs of use of health services in the previous six months; however, there were significant differences between groups in specific types of health services. The multivariate analysis revealed the presence of five risk factors for falls: neurological disorder (e.g., cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease), age >or= 85 years, environmental hazards, previous slip or trip, and visual impairment.
Markle-Reid
Maureen
M
McMaster University, School of Nursing, Hamilton, Ontario. mreid@mcmaster.ca
Browne
Gina
G
Gafni
Amiram
A
Roberts
Jacqueline
J
Weir
Robin
R
Thabane
Lehana
L
Miles
Melody
M
Vaitonis
Vida
V
Hecimovich
Catherine
C
Baxter
Pamela
P
Henderson
Sandra
S
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000592:standards*; D006304:Health Status; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology