OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence, type, location of and injuries from home accidents, including falls and other accidents, and to explore whether variables including socio-demographic characteristics, medication use and home hazards were associated with all home accidents and falls. METHOD: 657 older people were interviewed about accidents in the previous four weeks. For a subsample (n = 425), a home hazard check was completed. RESULTS: Of the 101 accidents reported, 51% (n = 51) were falls and 50% (n = 50) were other accidents. The most common location for all accidents was outside (30%). Most resulted in minor injury to the legs (43%) or arms (39%). Medical treatment was sought for 14% of accidents. Having more than five hazards and infrequent home visits by healthcare providers were associated with having at least one accident and at least one fall. Use of a walking aid was also associated with falling. CONCLUSION: Rates of falls and other accidents are considerable. IMPLICATIONS: Work is required to confirm the importance of the relationships suggested and to provide data on the burden of injury associated with non-fall accidents.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence, type, location of and injuries from home accidents, including falls and other accidents, and to explore whether variables including socio-demographic characteristics, medication use and home hazards were associated with all home accidents and falls. METHOD: 657 older people were interviewed about accidents in the previous four weeks. For a subsample (n = 425), a home hazard check was completed. RESULTS: Of the 101 accidents reported, 51% (n = 51) were falls and 50% (n = 50) were other accidents. The most common location for all accidents was outside (30%). Most resulted in minor injury to the legs (43%) or arms (39%). Medical treatment was sought for 14% of accidents. Having more than five hazards and infrequent home visits by healthcare providers were associated with having at least one accident and at least one fall. Use of a walking aid was also associated with falling. CONCLUSION: Rates of falls and other accidents are considerable. IMPLICATIONS: Work is required to confirm the importance of the relationships suggested and to provide data on the burden of injury associated with non-fall accidents.
Authors: M Finsterwald; E Sidelnikov; E J Orav; B Dawson-Hughes; R Theiler; A Egli; A Platz; H P Simmen; C Meier; D Grob; S Beck; H B Stähelin; H A Bischoff-Ferrari Journal: Osteoporos Int Date: 2013-10-18 Impact factor: 4.507