Abstract
Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries and injury-related disability, morbidity and mortality in the geriatric population. Therefore, they may also lower quality of life. The aim of this study was to analyze the fall risk factors in the community-dwelling elderly depending on their physical function, cognitive status and symptoms of depression. The study involved 304 individuals aged 65–100 years with a mean age of 78.6 ± 7.4. This survey-based study was conducted using the Geriatric Environmental Inquiry, the Barthel Scale (BS), the Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Tinetti Test (TT). There was a statistically significant correlation between the BS, the TT and the incidence of falls (p < 0.05). The number of falls correlated significantly with the results of the BS (R = −0.39), the GDS (R = 0.18), and the TT (R = −0.40). A statistically significant correlation was also noted between the TT results and the results of the BS (R = 0.77), the AMTS (R = 0.40) and the GDS (R = −0.37). The incidence of falls may significantly increase in people with a lower functional status, which may be related to cognitive process disturbances and lower affective functioning. A comprehensive geriatric assessment, related to all aspects of advanced-age patients’ efficiency, is recommended. Fall prevention strategies should include actions undertaken to evaluate and treat depression and cognitive disturbances.
Highlights
According to the definition accepted for the purpose of epidemiological research, a fall is an event which results in a person coming to rest inadvertently on the ground or floor or other lower level [1].Epidemiological statistics indicate that every year falls happen to about 30% of adults aged over 65 and living in their own homes
The incidence of falls may significantly increase in people with a lower functional status, which may be related to cognitive process disturbances and lower affective functioning
The aim of this study was to analyze the fall risk factors in the community-dwelling elderly depending on their physical function, cognitive status and symptoms of depression
Summary
Epidemiological statistics indicate that every year falls happen to about 30% of adults aged over 65 and living in their own homes. Falls happen to about 45% of people provided with long-term care, out of whom 40% experience multiple falls [1,2,3]. Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries. The consequences of fall-related injuries among over 65-year-olds include: long-lasting disability, loss of autonomy, lower quality of life, and problems with organizing professional and non-professional care for this group of patients. Falls are the main cause of injury-related disability, morbidity and mortality in geriatric people [1,2,3,4,5,6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
