Fall Risk and Its Associated Factors among Older Adults without Home-Help Services in a Swedish Municipality. Issue 4 (1st October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hammarlund, Catharina Sjödahl; Hagell, Peter; Westergren, Albert
• Is Part Of: Journal of community health nursing. Volume 33:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 181
• Page End: 189
• Publication Date: 2016-10-01
• Subjects: Community health nursing -- Periodicals; 362.14
• DOI: 10.1080/07370016.2016.1227211
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0737-0016

Abstract

ABSTRACT: During preventive home visits, the purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of fall risk and any associated factors. Participants ( n = 1471) were cognitively sound community-dwelling older adults (≥ 70 years) without home-help service, living in a Swedish municipality. The Downton Fall Risk Index and nine single items were used. Tiredness/fatigue, age ≥ 80, inability to walk 1 hr, inability to climb stairs and worrying were significantly associated with fall risk. Preventive home visits incorporating fall-risk screening proved valuable, providing information for interventions aimed at preventing falls, maintaining independence, and facilitating health among community dwelling participants.