Abstract
We evaluated the prevalence of falls and their association with visual impairment (VI) in elderly residents in ‘homes for the aged’ in Hyderabad, India. Participants aged ≥ 60 years were recruited from 41 homes, and a comprehensive eye examination was conducted. Interviews were conducted to collect personal and demographic information, systemic health status, fear of falling, depression, and history of falls in the last year. VI categories included low vision (presenting visual acuity worse than 6/18 to 3/60) and blindness (presenting visual acuity worse than 3/60). The data of 1,074 participants were analysed. The mean age was 74.4 years (standard deviation:8.7 years); 63.9% were women, 19.4% had no formal education, 28.1% were diabetic and 56.9% were hypertensive. The annual prevalence of falls was 29.1% (95% CI: 26.4–32.0). Multivariable analysis showed those with VI had significantly higher odds of falls (Odds Ratio:1.47; p = 0.043). The prevalence of falls was higher among those with VI due to uncorrected refractive errors. We found a very high prevalence of falls in elderly individuals living in ‘homes for the aged’ in Hyderabad, India. Addressing VI can result in fewer falls and contribute to healthy aging in India.
Highlights
We evaluated the prevalence of falls and their association with visual impairment (VI) in elderly residents in ‘homes for the aged’ in Hyderabad, India
We report on the prevalence of falls, their association with visual impairment and other risk factors among the elderly living in homes for the aged in India
We found a very high prevalence of falls in the elderly individuals living in homes for the aged in Hyderabad, India
Summary
We evaluated the prevalence of falls and their association with visual impairment (VI) in elderly residents in ‘homes for the aged’ in Hyderabad, India. The lifestyle of the elderly living in residential care and those in the community are not directly comparable Those living in the community tend to be more mobile and have more physical mobility.[4] The prevalence of visual impairment is reported to be higher among the elderly in residential homes compared to those living in c ommunities[13,14]. Another study from Kerala that included only women found that the prevalence of falls was higher among those in homes for the aged compared to those living in the community[4]. We report on the prevalence of falls, their association with visual impairment and other risk factors among the elderly living in homes for the aged in India
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