Falls, risk factors and fear of falling among persons older than 65 years of age

Aim Falling represents a major public health problem among older persons because it leads to premature mortality, loss of independence, and placement in assisted‐living facilities. The purpose of this study was to assess the main features and risks for falls among persons older than 65 years of age...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychogeriatrics 2017-07, Vol.17 (4), p.215-223
Main Authors: Gazibara, Tatjana, Kurtagic, Ilma, Kisic‐Tepavcevic, Darija, Nurkovic, Selmina, Kovacevic, Nikolina, Gazibara, Teodora, Pekmezovic, Tatjana
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accidental Falls - prevention & control
Accidental Falls - statistics & numerical data
Activities of Daily Living
Age
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging - psychology
Confidence intervals
Falls
Falls Efficacy Scale
Fear
Fear - psychology
Female
Health risk assessment
Humans
Independent Living
injuries
Male
Older people
older persons
Prevalence
Public health
Risk Factors
Serbia - epidemiology
Soft tissues
Surveys and Questionnaires
Walking
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Summary:Aim Falling represents a major public health problem among older persons because it leads to premature mortality, loss of independence, and placement in assisted‐living facilities. The purpose of this study was to assess the main features and risks for falls among persons older than 65 years of age as well as to quantify their fear of falling. Methods A total of 354 persons older than 65 years of age were recruited at a community health centre. Characteristics of the most recent fall were obtained through detailed interviews with study participants. The Falls Efficacy Scale was used to quantify fear of falling. Results Frequency of falling was 15.8%. Falls occurred most often while walking (49%). One‐half of fallers (49.1%) sustained an injury. Head haematomas and soft tissues contusions were the most common consequences of falls. The average Falls Efficacy Scale score was significantly higher in fallers ( P = 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that having a fear of falling (odds ratio = 4.14, 95% confidence interval: 1.22–14.08, P = 0.02) and being a woman (odds ratio = 2.10, 95% confidence interval: 0.97–4.53, P = 0.05) were independent risk factors for falling among older persons. Conclusion The frequency of falls among older people was similar to those in other populations. These results could be used to help select older persons who should be enrolled in fall prevention programmes.
ISSN:1346-3500
1479-8301
DOI:10.1111/psyg.12217