Accidents in older people living at home: a community-based study assessing prevalence, type, location and injuries

Aust N Z J Public Health. 2000 Dec;24(6):633-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-842x.2000.tb00532.x.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the prevalence, type, location of and injuries from home accidents, including falls and other accidents, and to explore whether variables including socio-demographic characteristics, medication use and home hazards were associated with all home accidents and falls.

Method: 657 older people were interviewed about accidents in the previous four weeks. For a subsample (n = 425), a home hazard check was completed.

Results: Of the 101 accidents reported, 51% (n = 51) were falls and 50% (n = 50) were other accidents. The most common location for all accidents was outside (30%). Most resulted in minor injury to the legs (43%) or arms (39%). Medical treatment was sought for 14% of accidents. Having more than five hazards and infrequent home visits by healthcare providers were associated with having at least one accident and at least one fall. Use of a walking aid was also associated with falling.

Conclusion: Rates of falls and other accidents are considerable.

Implications: Work is required to confirm the importance of the relationships suggested and to provide data on the burden of injury associated with non-fall accidents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data*
  • Accidents, Home / statistics & numerical data*
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / physiology
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnosis
  • Fractures, Bone / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Injury Severity Score
  • Male
  • New South Wales / epidemiology
  • Odds Ratio
  • Population Surveillance
  • Prevalence
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Sampling Studies
  • Sex Distribution
  • Wounds and Injuries / diagnosis
  • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology*