title: "People are Getting Lost a Little Bit": Systemic Factors that Contribute to Falls in Community-Dwelling Octogenarians.
abstract: Octogenarians living in the community are the fastest-growing demographic in Canada. Simultaneously, they have the highest prevalence of falls and nine times greater risk of injury due to a fall. To understand how to improve the safety of octogenarians' aging-in-place, a systems approach is essential. Understanding how societal factors interact and affect the older adult can help care custodians identify and remove safety deficiencies that bring about falls. The purpose of this study was to identify system-wide factors contributing to falls in community-dwelling octogenarians. Eight falls were investigated using the systemic falls investigative method. Participants ranged in age from 83-90 years. Across-case analyses identified 247 contributing factors, grouped within four distinct themes: (a) everyday living has become risky; (b) supervision limitations; (c) health care system disconnects; and (d) poor fall risk identification and follow-up. This qualitative study provides systemic insights into how and why falls occur in community-dwelling octogenarians.
authors: The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies,Western University.
authors: Dorothy
authors: D
authors: Gotzmeister
authors: School of Health Studies,Faculty of Health Sciences,Western University.
authors: Aleksandra A
authors: AA
authors: Zecevic
authors: School of Occupational Therapy,Faculty of Health Sciences,Western University.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Klinger
authors: School of Kinesiology,Western University.
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Salmoni
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: aging; aging-in-place; case studies; causes de chutes; causes of falls; community care; health-related safety; investigative method; méthode systématique d'enquête; soins communautaires; sécurité liée à santé; vieillissant chez-soi; vieillissment; études de cas