A Prospective Community-Based Study of Falls among Older People in Australia: Frequency, Circumstances, and Consequences

Abstract

Falls among the population of older people are a major international public health concern. Few prospective studies have been conducted in Australia with a healthy, rural and urban community sample that measure a broad range of health-related potential risk factors for falls. This study aims to identify the nature and circumstances of falls experienced by people aged 70 years and older, and explores any health and environmental variables associated with falls over a 6-month period. A total of 264 participants kept calendars and recorded information about falls. Health status measures were taken prior to the study period. Falls occurred mainly during mobility and housework activities causing a wide range of minor but notable injuries, and were associated with psychosocial factors as well as medical risk factors. The need for occupational therapists to develop specific programs for healthy older people living in the community is identified, as well as the need for cross-national falls research.