PHYSICAL CONDITION, ACTIVITY PATTERN, AND ENVIRONMENT AS FACTORS IN FALLS BY ADULT CARE FACILITY RESIDENTS

This study surveyed 294 fall incident reports made over a three-year period concerning 95 residents in an adult care facility. We determined the frequencies of fall location, time of day or night, and assessed the precipitating factors from fall descriptions made by residents and/or their care givers. We found that 57% of the falls occurred in the residents' rooms, with private or shared bathrooms as the next most frequent locus. Precipitating factors were surveyed; 50.3% of the fall descriptions implicated environmental features (pieces of furniture were most frequently mentioned), the physical condition of the resident contributed to 24.3% of the falls, and specific physical activities were implicated in 7.9% of the falls. Multiple factors accounted for 6.5% of the total falls. In 17% of the cases, no clear indication of cause was found. Unsafe environments have been implicated as a fall risk factor. Despite adaptations to lessen environmental hazards, a large number of reportable falls occurred in this facility, which was for elderly individuals who were in relatively good health commensurate with their age. © 1993.