BACKGROUND: Falls place older adults at risk for injuries, resulting in functional decline, hospitalization, institutionalization, higher healthcare costs, and decreased quality of life. OBJECTIVE: This study examined community-dwelling elderly to identify if individuals with a history of cancer fall at a higher rate than those without cancer, and if the occurrence of falls was influenced by individual characteristics, symptoms, or function. METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study, in 2007, examining 7,448 community-dwelling elderly 65 years or older in a state in the Midwest. Fallers were identified based on a diagnosis of cancer, age, sex, race and ethnicity, poor vision, reduced activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs, cognition, incontinence, pain, or depression. RESULTS: Findings indicated that 2,125 (28.5%) had at least 1 fall. Of those who fell, 967 (13.0%) had cancer, and 363 (4.9%) with cancer had a fall. CONCLUSION: Predictors of falls in this population included race, sex, ADLs, incontinence, depression, and pain, all with P <.05. Cancer was not a predictor of falls in this study. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study found a high frequency of falls and suggests a predictive model for fall risk in the vulnerable, community-dwelling elderly and will be used to inform future studies.
BACKGROUND: Falls place older adults at risk for injuries, resulting in functional decline, hospitalization, institutionalization, higher healthcare costs, and decreased quality of life. OBJECTIVE: This study examined community-dwelling elderly to identify if individuals with a history of cancer fall at a higher rate than those without cancer, and if the occurrence of falls was influenced by individual characteristics, symptoms, or function. METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study, in 2007, examining 7,448 community-dwelling elderly 65 years or older in a state in the Midwest. Fallers were identified based on a diagnosis of cancer, age, sex, race and ethnicity, poor vision, reduced activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs, cognition, incontinence, pain, or depression. RESULTS: Findings indicated that 2,125 (28.5%) had at least 1 fall. Of those who fell, 967 (13.0%) had cancer, and 363 (4.9%) with cancer had a fall. CONCLUSION: Predictors of falls in this population included race, sex, ADLs, incontinence, depression, and pain, all with P <.05. Cancer was not a predictor of falls in this study. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study found a high frequency of falls and suggests a predictive model for fall risk in the vulnerable, community-dwelling elderly and will be used to inform future studies.
Authors: Jian Sheng Chen; Judy M Simpson; Lyn M March; Ian D Cameron; Robert G Cumming; Stephen R Lord; Markus J Seibel; Philip N Sambrook Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2008-09-22 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: M E Tinetti; D I Baker; G McAvay; E B Claus; P Garrett; M Gottschalk; M L Koch; K Trainor; R I Horwitz Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1994-09-29 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Svenhjalmar van Helden; Antonia C M van Geel; Piet P Geusens; Alfons Kessels; Arie C Nieuwenhuijzen Kruseman; Peter R G Brink Journal: J Bone Joint Surg Am Date: 2008-02 Impact factor: 5.284
Authors: Tanya M Wildes; Priya Dua; Susan A Fowler; J Philip Miller; Christopher R Carpenter; Michael S Avidan; Susan Stark Journal: J Geriatr Oncol Date: 2014-10-30 Impact factor: 3.599
Authors: Schroder Sattar; Kristen R Haase; Koen Milisen; Diane Campbell; Soo Jung Kim; Haji Chalchal; Cindy Kenis Journal: Can Oncol Nurs J Date: 2021-11-01
Authors: Schroder Sattar; Shabbir M H Alibhai; Sandra L Spoelstra; Rouhi Fazelzad; Martine T E Puts Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2016-07-22 Impact factor: 3.603