title: Falls, aging, and disability.
abstract: Falls are a major public health problem, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality among older adults in the United States. This article summarizes and compares (1) fall prevalence rates, (2) fall risk factors, (3) consequences of falls, and (4) current knowledge about fall prevention interventions between community-dwelling older adults and people aging with physical disability. In this latter group, the article focuses on individuals with multiple sclerosis, late-effects of polio, muscular dystrophies, and spinal cord injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1919 West Taylor Street, Mail Code 811, Chicago, IL 60612-7250, USA. marciaf@uic.edu <marciaf@uic.edu>
authors.forename: Marcia L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Finlayson
authors.forename: Elizabeth W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Peterson
mesh_terms: D000056:Accident Prevention / Q000379:methods; D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013315:Stress, Psychological