Falls Risks and Prevention Behaviors Among Community-Dwelling Homebound and Non-Homebound Older Adults

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
pp. 1085-1106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carri Casteel ◽  
Jennifer Jones ◽  
Paula Gildner ◽  
James M. Bowling ◽  
Susan J. Blalock
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Falls Risk ◽  
Homebound Older Adults ◽  
Risk Factors For Falls

The objectives were to examine falls risk factors to determine how the magnitude of risk may differ between homebound and non-homebound older adults, and to describe falls prevention behaviors and participation in falls prevention education. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with convenience samples of community-dwelling older adults recruited through Meals on Wheels programs (homebound, n = 80) and senior centers (non-homebound, n = 84) in North Carolina. Data were collected during home visits and included an interview and medication inventory. Multivariate negative binomial regression with robust variance estimation modeled risk factors for falls. Risk factors for falls observed in both the homebound and non-homebound populations are consistent with what is known in the literature. However, the magnitude of the risk was higher in the homebound than in the non-homebound population with respect to vision impairments, number of high-risk and over-the-counter medications, and use of walking aids .Few participants reported participating in a falls prevention program.

scholarly journals ´Feet are second class citizens`: exploring the perceptions of Scottish and Portuguese older adults about feet, falls and exercise- a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monserrat Conde ◽  
Gordon J. Hendry ◽  
Jim Woodburn ◽  
Dawn A. Skelton
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Main Theme ◽  
Foot And Ankle ◽  
Falls Risk ◽  
Risk Factors For Falls

Abstract Introduction Foot problems are likely to contribute to falls risk in older adults. Foot and ankle exercises may be beneficial, but uptake may be influenced by cultural factors. Few studies have explored the views of older adults from different cultural backgrounds about foot-specific falls risk factors, and foot and ankle falls prevention exercises. Objectives To explore the views of Scottish and Portuguese community-dwelling older adults who have experienced a fall, about any foot risk factors for falls, and foot and ankle exercises. Methods Cross-cultural qualitative study with (n = 6) focus groups exploring the perceptions of Scottish (n = 10, mean age 76 yrs) and Portuguese older adults (n = 14, mean age 66 years) aged, applying thematic analysis. Results One main theme `evolving awareness about feet and falls prevention´ and three subthemes; (i) Feet are often forgotten, (ii) the important role of footwear, (iii) need to look at my feet and do the exercises were identified. Scottish participants had more experience of falls prevention but there was a lack of knowledge surrounding foot-specific falls risk factors, and the role of ankle and foot exercise in the prevention of falls. Portuguese participants exhibited a fatalistic approach to falls. Conclusions Older adults from both nations had little knowledge of foot-specific falls risk factors, being initially unaware of the functional status of their feet and of the role of exercise in foot care and falls management. There were differences between national groups that should be accounted for when developing culturally adequate interventions.

scholarly journals Prevalence, Circumstances, and Risk Factors of Falls Among Community Dwelling Members of University of the Third Age

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asmidawati Ashari ◽  
Tengku Aizan Hamid ◽  
Mohd Rizal Hussain ◽  
Rahimah Ibrahim ◽  
Keith D. Hill
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Step Test ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Falls Risk ◽  
Risk Factors For Falls ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objective: Study aimed to identify the prevalence of falls and associated contributory factors among older Malaysians.Methods: A cross sectional study among community dwelling older adults aged 50 years and above. Self-administered questionnaires on history of falls in the previous 12 months, physical assessment and computerized and clinical measures of balance were assessed on a single occasion.Results: Forty nine (31.0%) participants fell, with 4.4% reported having multiple falls within the previous 12 months. Slips were the most prevalent cause of falls, accounting for 49% of falls. More than half (54.5%) of falls occurred in the afternoon while participants walked inside the home (32.7%), outside home (30.6%), and 36.7% were in community areas. More than half of respondents were identified as having turning instability. Step Test, turn sway, depression, physical activity level and edge contrast sensitivity were significantly worse for fallers (p < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that turning performance, visual acuity and back pain were significantly associated with falls risk, accounting for 72% of the variance of risk factors for falls among studied population.Conclusion: Falls are common among community dwelling older Malaysians. The findings provide information of falls and falls risk factors among community dwelling older adults in Malaysia. Future intervention studies should target locally identified falls risk factors. This study has highlighted the importance of instability during turning as an important fall risk factor.

scholarly journals 71 Discriminative Ability of a Falls Screening Mobile Application in Identifying Fallers among Community Dwelling Older Adults: Preliminary Results

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv18-iv27
Author(s):  
Jing Wen Goh ◽  
Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh ◽  
Suzana Shahar
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Discriminative Ability ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Falls Risk ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Introduction Early falls screening among community dwelling older adults is important as a part of falls prevention strategy. Falls Screening Mobile Application (FallSA) was demonstrated to be accepted, reliable and valid to be used for self-risk assessment among community dwelling older adults in an earlier study. However, its discriminative ability is unknown. We aimed to examine the discriminative ability of FallSA in classifying fallers and non-fallers among community dwelling older adults. Methodology A total of 182 community dwelling older adults with mean age of 71.42 ± 5.1 participated in this cross sectional study. Participants demographic and falls history data were obtained. Participants with one or more falls were categorized as fallers. FallSA was used to identify participants falls risk. Independent t-test was used to compare falls risk score among fallers and non-fallers for its discriminative ability. Results Approximately 20% participants were categorized as fallers. Majority of the fallers were females (66.7%), had lower physical activity level and higher scores of geriatric depression scales compared to non-fallers. There was a significant (p< 0.01) different in the FallSA score between fallers (7.33±1.77) and non-fallers (4.34±1.72). Conclusion Our study results showed that FallSA could be used to discriminate fallers and non-fallers in community dwelling older adults. Further studies are in progress to determine the predictive validity of FallSA.

scholarly journals 136 Barriers to Discussing Fall Prevention with Healthcare Professionals amongst Community-Dwelling Singaporean Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv28-iv33
Author(s):  
Nivedha Balachandar ◽  
Silvia Sim ◽  
Pey June Tan ◽  
Jagadish Mallya ◽  
Noor Hafizah Ismail ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Modifiable Factors

Abstract Introduction A multitude of modifiable factors can contribute to one’s fall risk. Healthcare professionals (HCP) are equipped to identify such factors, and make appropriate recommendations to help older adults prevent falls. However, there is limited evidence on the awareness and practice of this in Asian communities. Thus, this paper aims to understand the participation and barriers for community-dwelling Singaporeans to discuss falls with their HCPs. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a nationally-representative sample of Singaporeans aged ≥60 living in the community. Participants were asked if they have fallen in the past 12 months, if they discussed what they can do to avoid falls with their HCPs (doctor/nurse) and for their perceived barriers via a semi-structured questionnaire with multiple responses. Unstructured data was coded using content analysis by two researchers and pooled with structured data. Sub-group differences between fallers and non-fallers were anaylsed using chi square tests. Results Of 549 participants (70.6±6.9 years and 61% female), most (n=447, 81%) have never talked to their HCPs. More fallers discussed falls prevention with HCPs than non-fallers (p=0.037). The top barriers cited for discussing falls with HCPs – low perception of fall risk (55%) and misconceptions regarding falls and/or HCPs (29%) – were more prevalent amongst non-fallers (p=0.008) and fallers (p<0.001) respectively. Other barriers identified include competing priorities (8%) and actively taking alternate management to mitigate falls risk (4%). Discussion Fallers and non-fallers have different reasons behind not discussing falls with HCPs. Findings indicate that despite having higher fall risk, fallers may still not talk to HCPs as they are either unaware that fall risk can be mitigated, or of HCP’s role in fall prevention. Future studies should address fallers’ knowledge and attitudes to improve their participation in interventions in the community, and investigate health practitioners’ readiness to address concerns about falls.

scholarly journals Medical falls among older adults in Latin American cities

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Carlos A. Reyes-Ortiz ◽  
Soraira Pacheco ◽  
Cedar A Slovacek ◽  
Meng Jiang ◽  
Ivania C Salinas Fernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Risk Factors For Falls

Objective To estimate the prevalence and risk factors for falls requiring medical attention, referred as medical falls, in community-dwelling persons aged ≥60 years.Methods A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using information from the Health, Well-Being, and Aging (“SABE”) Study in Latin America and the Caribbean (7 cities), as well as from the SABE Bogota study (pooled sample of 8 cities n=12,487). Falls that occurred during a past 12-month period were considered and then noted if required medical treatment because of the fall.Results The weighted prevalence of medical falls across the eight surveys ranged from 6.0% to 11.3%. In weighted multivariate logistic regression analyses, potentially modifiable risk factors for medical falls include urinary incontinence (OR=1.51 95% CI 1.18-1.92), high depressive symptomatology (OR=1.53 95% CI 1.24-1.91), poor self-rated health (OR=1.35 95% CI 1.10-1.66) and activities of daily living limitations (OR=1.48 95% CI 1.16-1.87).Conclusions Based on our results, preventive measures targeting these risk factors may help to decrease the risk for medical falls among older adults in Latin America.

Health Concerns of Older Adults: Observations from a Survey and Public Education Programme in Bhubaneswar, India

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-16
Author(s):  
Shreyan Kar ◽  
Tushar Kanti Das ◽  
Prasanta Kumar Mohapatra ◽  
Brajaballav Kar ◽  
Anupama Senapati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Mood State ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Cardiovascular Risks ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Concerns

Background: While it is apparent that old age is associated with multiple health concerns, the extent of its multiplicity and burden is often not clear. It was intended to find out self-reported health concerns for one month and cardiovascular risk factors in middle and older adults. Methods: In the cross-sectional survey, attendees of a Healthy Ageing Conference were approached with a semi-structured questionnaire about their health concerns and cardiovascular risks. Risk of a cardiovascular event in 10 years based on QRISK3 was calculated. Results: A considerable proportion of older adults had a range of physical symptoms, depressive mood state and memory problems. Mean number of health problems reported were 4.8±3.3 (male 4.4±3.1 and female 5.0±4.3). Cardiovascular risk was high, mean QRISK3 score for males were 22.2% (±14.4), and for females 10.3% (±6.6) (p<0.05). On average, the heart age was increased by 7.9±6.2 years (8.6±6.6 years for males and 5.0±3.3 for females). The relative risk of participants was 2.1 for males and 1.5 for females for heart attack or stroke within the ten years, compared to healthy persons. The symptoms and risk factors were elicited easily, and the process probably facilitated improving the awareness about the health concerns holistically. The survey also identified issues related to the engagement of older adults in the existing health care systems. Conclusions: The results suggested that questionnaire-based health screening in a community can identify a range of health concerns and identify multi-morbidity in general and cardiovascular risks in particular. This process may help to focus on the appropriate public health awareness and intervention programmes required in the community.

scholarly journals Religiosity and self-rated health among older adults in Colombia

2019 ◽  
pp. 67-76
Author(s):  
Carlos A Reyes Ortiz ◽  
Claudia Payan ◽  
Geraldine Altamar ◽  
Jose F Gomez Montes ◽  
Harold G Koenig
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Significant Interaction Effect ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas ◽  
Fair Poor ◽  
The Relationship

Objective: To identify the relationship between religiosity and self-rated health among older adults in Colombia. Methods: Data are drawn from the SABE (Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento) Colombia Study, a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2015 involving 18,871 community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and older living in urban and rural areas of Colombia. Religiosity was assessed by self-rated religiosity (how religious are you: not at all, somewhat or very). Self-rated health during previous 30 days was assessed as very good, good, fair, poor or very poor, analyzed as an ordinal variable(1-5) using weighted logistic regression, adjusting for confounders. Results: Those who were more religious were older, female, had lower socioeconomic status, and were more likely to be married. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that older adults who were more religious had better self-rated health (OR 0.92 95% CI 0.86- 0.99, p= 0.038); however, there was a significant interaction effect between gender and religiosity on self-rated health (p= 0.002), such that the relationship between religiosity and health was stronger in men (OR 0.86, 95% CI: 0.79-0.94, p= 0.001) but not significant in women. Conclusion: Older adults in Colombia who consider themselves more religious, especially men, are less likely to perceive their physical health as poor compared to those who are less religious.

scholarly journals Irish occupational therapists use of evidenced-based falls prevention programmes

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Lombard ◽  
Laura Desmond ◽  
Ciara Phelan ◽  
Joan Brangan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Exercise Programme ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Prevention Programmes

Purpose As one ages, the risk of experiencing a fall increases and poses a number of serious consequences; 30 per cent of individuals over 65 years of age fall each year. Evidence-based falls prevention programmes demonstrate efficacy in reducing the rate and risk of falls among older adults, but their use in Irish occupational therapy practice is unknown. This study aims to investigate the implementation of falls prevention programmes by occupational therapists working with older adults in Ireland. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey was used to gather data on the use of falls prevention programmes among occupational therapists working with older adults in any clinical setting across Ireland. Purposeful, convenience and snowball sampling methods were used. The Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland acted as a gatekeeper. Descriptive statistics and summative content analysis were used to analyse quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Findings In all, 85 survey responses were analysed. Over 85 per cent of respondents reported “Never” using any of the evidence-based falls prevention programmes. The “OTAGO” Exercise Programme was the most “Frequently” used programme (9.5 per cent, n = 7); 29 respondents reported using “in-department” developed falls prevention programmes and 14 provided additional comments regarding current falls prevention practices in Ireland. Originality/value In the absence of Irish data on the subject, this study provides a benchmark to describe the use of evidence-based falls programmes by Irish occupational therapists with older adults.

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