Recording of Falls in Elderly Fallers in Northern Greece and Evaluation of Aging Health-Related Factors and Environmental Safety Associated with Falls: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background. Elderly falls constitute a global problem with huge social and economic aspects. Fall risk factors are both intrinsic (physical and psychological) and extrinsic (related with environmental safety). Aim. To record both intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors and their correlation in elderly fallers in order to suggest specific guidelines for their medical care and environmental modification inside and outside the home. Method. The study involved 150 elderly fallers (median age 70 (67-74)), who completed a record containing information on known risk factors related to their health status, as well as information on the conditions and causes that led to the fall. Each fall was considered an independent event, while measurements were performed regarding balance, strength, their functional ability, and the fear of a possible fall. Descriptive analysis and frequency analysis were used to record the health and activity status of the participants as well as the fall-related environmental factors. Severity of each fall event across a variety of locations was examined using the Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance. Multiple linear regression was applied to examine the effect of the mean values of functional tests and medical records on the number of fall events. Results. In the span of 12 months, a total of 304 fall events were recorded. Regarding location, 77.6% occurred indoors; more frequent were the bedroom (28.6%) and the bathroom (28%). The interior stairs (10.5%), the kitchen (4.9%), and the living room (3.3%) were the less frequent locations. Concerning danger, falling on the interior stairs caused the longest hospitalization, followed by the kitchen and the bathroom. Extrinsic factors that led to both indoor and outdoor falls were the administration of psychotropic medication, poor space ergonomics, lack of basic safety standards, and poor lighting conditions. Vision problems and dizziness resulted in more falls than other intrinsic factors. Furthermore, reduced performance in the FICSIT-4 test and the 30-Second Chair Stand Test, as well as high scores in the CONFbal–GREEK questionnaire and the Short FES-I, shows a linear relationship with an increased number of falls. Conclusions. Ergonomic interventions can help prevent indoor elderly falls. Poor construction and lack of adequate lighting mainly cause outdoor falls. Regular eye examinations, management of vertigo, improvement of the balance and strength of the lower limbs, and reduction of fear of impending falls are the intrinsic factors that help prevent falls the most.

Falls and associated risk factors in a sample of old age population in Egyptian community

“…This is quite conceivable given that it can lead to disequilibrium and the old age person is often unable to rapidly regain his/her equilibrium and his/her physical fitness and abilities cannot help in preventing falling. Similar significant relations between dizziness and the risk of falling among elderly were reported in studies in Sweden ( 28 ) and Greece ( 29 ).…”

The Incidence of Falls and Related Factors among Chinese Elderly Community Residents in Six Provinces

“…Moreover, stairs or hallways increase the risk of falls in the elderly and accounted for 27.3% of all falls in this study [ 67 ]. Studies have shown that falling on the stairs can lead to the longest hospitalizations in the elderly [ 68 ]. This study also found that the falls while taking a bath or going to the toilet accounted for 10.5%, and the bathroom and toilet was one of the common injury locations [ 67 , 69 ]; here, environmental modification is able to reduce the fall rate [ 70 ], including adding handrails, increasing the spaciousness of passageways, and increasing lighting.…”

The efficacy of exergames on balance and reducing falls in older adults: A narrative review

“…Falls also contribute to high healthcare costs for older adults. Falls are caused by several factors, both environmental as well as related to aging, making prevention strategies targeted at older adults a research focus [4,3] . Main causative factors of falls are the deficits in strength and balance of older adults because aging affects muscles, bones, joints, and the nervous system [4] .…”

“…Falls are caused by several factors, both environmental as well as related to aging, making prevention strategies targeted at older adults a research focus [4,3] . Main causative factors of falls are the deficits in strength and balance of older adults because aging affects muscles, bones, joints, and the nervous system [4] . Exercise has been shown to help reduce these deficits by protecting older adults from experiencing another fall [2,5,6] .…”