Multidimensional correlates of falls in older women

Older women who had fallen within the last year (n = 63) were compared with those who had not fallen (n = 67) on several psychological and motor measures. Both fallers and nonfallers demonstrated high levels of functioning. Discriminant analysis results indicated that a combination of variables, including physical activity and both psychological (general well-being, self-efficacy) and motor (functional reach, mobility) measures differentiated fallers and nonfallers. Results suggest that falling is a multidimensional phenomenon, that small declines on multiple factors may increase risk of falls, and that multifaceted interventions may help maintain high levels of functioning and prevent declines often associated with increased age.