Abstract
Falls in the elderly are one of the main geriatric syndromes and a clear indicator of fragility in the older adult population. This has serious consequences, leading to an increase in disability, institutionalization and death. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to analyze the prevalence of risk of falling and associated factors in a population of 213 non-institutionalised, able older adults with a history of falling in the previous year. We used the following assessment tools: Questionnaire of the WHO for the study of falls in the elderly, Geriatric Depression Scale and Tinetti’s Gait and Balance Assessment Tool. Age, using ambulatory assistive devices, polymedication, hospital admission following a fall and depression were significantly associated with risk of falling. In order to prevent fall reoccurrence, community-based fall prevention programs should be implemented.
Highlights
Falls in the elderly are one of the main geriatric syndromes and a clear indicator of fragility in the older population [1]
A more recent study [16] showed that elderly users of ambulatory assistive devices fall mainly when they are not using them, suggesting that education interventions should aim, to provide training in the use of these devices, and encourage older adults to use them during the activities of daily living
The present study provides interesting and clinically relevant data, indicating that age, using ambulatory assistive devices, taking ≥ 4 medicines daily, being admitted to hospital after a fall, and having a diagnosis of depression, are strongly associated to risk of falling in non-institutionalized, able older adults, with a history of falling in the previous year
Summary
Falls in the elderly are one of the main geriatric syndromes and a clear indicator of fragility in the older population [1]. Out of older adults in the sample, 30–45% who live in the community will experience at least one fall per year [2]. This has serious consequences, leading to an increase in disability, institutionalization and death [1]. Falls are the second cause of mortality, with a rate of 424.000 deaths annually [3]. Given the multi-causality of falls in the older population, both first time and recurrent, it is important to implement a multifactorial assessment of risk of falling. The risk factors for falls are multiple and interrelated, and include having a history of previous falls, gait alterations, osteoporosis, loss of functional capacity, fear of future falls, visual alterations, impaired cognitive capacity, urinary incontinence, cardiovascular problems, medication intake, fatigue and the environment [4,5,6]
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