Why the elderly fall in residential care facilities, and suggested remedies.

OBJECTIVE

To study precipitating factors for falls among older people living in residential care facilities.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Five residential care facilities.

PARTICIPANTS

140 women and 59 men, mean age +/- SD 82.4 +/- 6.8 (range, 65-97).

MEASUREMENTS: After baseline assessments, falls in the population were tracked for 1 year. A physician, a nurse, and a physiotherapist investigated each event, and reached a consensus concerning the most probable precipitating factors for the fall.

RESULTS

Previous falls and treatment with antidepressants were found to be the most important predisposing factors for falls. Probable precipitating factors could be determined in 331 (68.7%) of the 482 registered falls. Acute disease or symptoms of disease were judged to be precipitating, alone or in combination in 186 (38.6%) of all falls; delirium was a factor in 48 falls (10.0%), and infection, most often urinary tract infection, was a factor in 38 falls (7.9%). Benzodiazepines or neuroleptics were involved in the majority of the 37 falls (7.7%) precipitated by drugs. External factors, such as material defects and obstacles, precipitated 38 (7.9%) of the falls. Other conditions both related to the individual and the environment, such as misinterpretation (eg, overestimation of capacity or forgetfulness), misuse of a roller walker, or mistakes made by the staff were precipitating factors in 83 (17.2%) of falls.

CONCLUSION

Among older people in residential care facilities, acute diseases and side effects of drugs are important precipitating factors for falls. Falls should therefore be regarded as a possible symptom of disease or a drug side effect until proven otherwise. Timely correction of precipitating and predisposing factors will help prevent further falls.