Citation

Markle-Reid M, Browne G, Gafni A, Roberts JV, Weir R, Thabane L, Miles M, Vaitonis V, Hecimovich C, Baxter P, Henderson S. Can. J. Aging 2010; 29(1): 119-137.

Affiliation

McMaster University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Cambridge Press)

DOI

10.1017/S0714980809990365

PMID

20202270

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study examined the six-month prevalence, risk factors, and costs of falls in older people using home support services who are at risk of falling. Of the 109 participants, 70.6 per cent reported >/= one fall in the previous six months, and 27.5 per cent experienced multiple falls. Although there was no statistically significant difference in any fall-related risk factor between fallers (1+ falls) and non-fallers (0 falls), fallers had clinically important trends towards lower levels of physical, social, and psychological functioning. There was no statistically significant difference between fallers and non-fallers in the total per-person costs of use of health services in the previous six months; however, there were significant differences between groups in specific types of health services. The multivariate analysis revealed the presence of five risk factors for falls: neurological disorder (e.g., cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease), age >/= 85 years, environmental hazards, previous slip or trip, and visual impairment.

Language: en