Citation

Yun ES. J. Korean Acad. Nurs. 2012; 42(6): 810-818.

Affiliation

Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea. yes100406@naver.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Korean Society of Nursing Science)

DOI

10.4040/jkan.2012.42.6.810

PMID

23364036

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was done to explore factors relating to number of falls among community-dwelling elders, based on gender. METHODS: Participants were 403 older community dwellers (male=206, female=197) aged 60 or above. In this study, 8 variables were identified as predictive factors that can result in an elderly person falling and as such, supports previous studies. The 8 variables were categorized as, exogenous variables; perceived health status, somatization, depression, physical performance, and cognitive state, and endogenous variables; fear of falling, ADL & IADL and frequency of falls. RESULTS: For men, ability to perform ADL & IADL (β32=1.84, p<.001) accounted for 16% of the variance in the number of falls. For women, fear of falling (β31=0.14, p<.05) and ability to perform ADL & IADL (β32=1.01, p<.001) significantly contributed to the number of falls, accounting for 15% of the variance in the number of falls. CONCLUSION: The findings from this study confirm the gender-based fall prediction model as comprehensive in relation to community-dwelling elders. The fall prediction model can effectively contribute to future studies in developing fall prediction and intervention programs.

Language: ko