1. A cross-sectional study of the prevalence, correlates, and costs of falls in older home care clients 'at risk' for falling.
- Author
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Markle-Reid M, Browne G, Gafni A, Roberts J, Weir R, Thabane L, Miles M, Vaitonis V, Hecimovich C, Baxter P, and Henderson S
- Subjects
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Canada, Cognition Disorders epidemiology, Cross-Sectional Studies, Environment, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Parkinson Disease epidemiology, Risk Factors, Vision Disorders epidemiology, Accidental Falls economics, Accidental Falls statistics & numerical data, Health Services for the Aged standards, Home Care Services standards
- Abstract
This 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 >or= 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 >or= 85 years, environmental hazards, previous slip or trip, and visual impairment.
- Published
- 2010
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