ElderWeb

Thomas Gill, M.D., associate professor of medicine and geriatrics at the Yale School of Medicine led a study of the causes of falls in older adults published in the December issue of the journal Medical Care. Falls are common among the elderly and often lead to loss of independence or even death. The rate of falls among persons 65 and older is about 30%, and among persons 80 or older, 50%. Of those who do fall, about 10% sustain a serious injury, such as a fracture, joint dislocation, or severe head injury. Falls and fall related injuries also are associated with pain, loss of confidence, functional decline, and placement in a nursing home.

Gill reports that they found very little evidence to link falls to home hazards, and also said the significance of the results is that money spent making homes of the elderly safer probably could be better utilized. A co-author of the study, Mary Tinetti, M.D., professor in the Departments of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Epidemiology and Public Health, completed a study about six years ago showing that a multi-component program targeting primarily muscle weakness, poor balance, vision loss, proper footwear, and monitoring medications, among other precautions, was most effective in preventing falls by the elderly.

Gill and his co-researchers evaluated 1,088 New Haven residents 72 and older and performed home safety assessments to determine whether 13 potential trip or slip hazards were present. These included hazards such as loose throw rugs, obstructed pathways, and slippery bathtubs. They then contacted participants each month for three years asking if they had fallen, and, if they had, what were the circumstances.