The Gerontologist · 1993 · 220 citations · 0 references
The study examined the number and nature of falls among elderly dementia patients in a nursing home. Researchers reviewed fall records over a two‑year period for 240 residents. They documented 1,343 falls (≈4 per person‑year), with elevated risk shortly after admission or ward transfer, higher in men, and increasing with dementia severity and physical impairment; most incidents were mild but 33 fractures occurred, and common causes were inadequate materials, stumbling/slipping, and gait disturbances.
We analyzed the number and nature of falls in a nursing home for elderly patients with dementia. Staff reported 1,343 falls over a 2-year period in 240 patients, a rate of about 4 falls per person year. The risk of falling was especially high shortly after admission and after transfer to another ward, increased with severity of the dementia and physical impairment, and decreased for very severely demented or physically handicapped patients. Men had twice the risk of falling of women. Most incidents were relatively harmless, but 33 fractures were reported. The most common causes for falls were “inadequate (use of) materials, stumbling, or slipping” (17%) and “gait and equilibrium disturbances” (16%).