Summary: | The aim of this study was to investigate fall risk and predisposing factors for fall among the residents in long-term care institutions.
Methods. Elderly care homes residents 48 men (mean ± SD, 78,6±7,0) and 101 women (mean ± SD, 81,6±6,4), all 149 residents, participated in the study. For investigation a questionnaire was used, which was made according literature and including following instruments: Environmental Falls Audit Tool – Individual, Falls Risk Assessment Tool and Risk Factor Checklist, Mini Mental State Examination.
Results. The most frequently diseases among men and women were heart and vascular (89,6 % and 92,1 %) and eyes diseases (70,8 % and 75,2 %). Ambulatory aid was needed for a half of all residents (54,4 %); ambulatory aid, which respondents didn’t want to used were three times common for women than men (p=0,007). Most residents had low fall risk (72,5 %), but high fall risk was more common in women (14,9 %) than men group (4,2 %); there were no significant difference between groups. High fall risk significantly dominated among the residents older than 85 year in comparison with 65-74 and 75-84 year age groups. Residents who had lower education (p<0,001), were older (p=0,005) and took more medications (p=0,002) had higher fall risk scores evaluated by Fall Risk Assessment Tool. Residents who had such risk factors as unsafe mobility, over-reaches transfer, forgot gait aids, observed behavioural agitation, disorientation had more medium-high fall risk... [to full text]
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