Understanding fall risk factors in community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study

Aim and objective: Ageing is associated with an increased risk of falling. Identification of risk factors is crucial for the prevention of falls in older people.

Methods: A total of 508 older adults enrolled in a cross-sectional study. For the assessment of risk factors, the research team collected basic data and health-related information and performed morphofunctional evaluations (strength and flexibility of lower body and dynamic balance).

Results: A significantly greater proportion of women experienced fall episodes within the past year. Additionally, certain chronic diseases were significantly more prevalent in the fall subgroup compared to the non-fall subgroup. The non-fall subgroup showed significantly better scores of lower body strength and dynamic balance than the fall subgroup.

Conclusion: Multivariable regression analysis revealed that gender and lower body strength seem to be the main risk factors for fall event (s) within the past year in community-dwelling older adults from the Portuguese region of Alentejo.

Implications for practice: Differences in fall risk factors due to gender, ethnicity and geography must be taken into account in clinical practice. Nurses must identify the environmental, social and individual risks that constitute health threats and trigger protective intervention programs. Nursing care for older people must also meet needs related to physical activity (e.g., strength-training exercise), since lower body weakness is strongly associated with falls.