An investigation of risk factors for fails in elderly people in a Turkish rest home: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of this pilot study was to determine risk factors for falls, and investigate whether there was a difference in balance and gait between elderly persons with and without a history of falling.

METHODS

33 elderly persons (16 fallers and 17 non-fallers) living in the Seyranbağlari rest home in Ankara were included in this study. A questionnaire and a mental test were administered to the subjects in order to categorize them correctly as either fallers or non-fallers. Tinetti's performance oriented assessment balance and gait, the Abbreviated Mental State Test (AMST), and the Modified Barthel Index were performed. In addition, risk factors were investigated.

RESULTS

The fallers (F) group had more impaired balance and mobility than the non-fallers (NF) group (p<0.05). The F group had more risk factors (postural hypotension, decreased knee strength, hearing problems, lower limb in-coordination, upper limb disability and foot problems) than the NF group.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our pilot study showed that balance, gait and other risk factors may contribute to falls in the elderly. It is pointed out that functional balance and gait together with risk factors must be addressed and evaluated in detail in faller subjects.