Analysis of multi-variate recurrent fall risk factors in elderly people using residential assessment instrument-home care-comparisons between single and recurrent fallers

PURPOSE This study was done to determine the risk factors for recurrent fallers (2+falls) compared to single fallers. METHODS Participants were 104 community-dwelling people 65 yr of age or older. The data were collected from June 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 using the Residential Assessment Instrument-Home Care. RESULTS Over the past 90 days, 55.7% of the 104 participants fell once, and 44.2% experienced recurrent falls (2+falls). In comparison of recurrent fallers with single fallers, there were significant differences in scores on the following factors: gender (χ(2)=4.22, p=.040), age (χ(2)=5.74, p=.017), educational level (χ(2)=5.22, p=.022), living arrangements (χ(2)=35.02, p<.001), cardiovascular diseases (χ(2)=17.10, p<.001), hypertension (χ(2)=4.43, p=.035), diabetes mellitus (χ(2)=4.44, p=.035), glaucoma (χ(2)=13.95, p<.001), Minimal Data Set (MDS)-Pain (t=-2.56, p=.012), fear of falling (χ(2)=4.08, p=.034), reduced vision (t=-3.06, p=.003), MDS-activity of daily living (t=3.46, p=.001), MDS-Instrumental Activities of daily living (t=3.24, p=.002), cognition (MDS-Cognition Performance Scale) (t=3.40, p=.001), and 'difficulties entering and leaving the house' (χ(2)=4.53, p=.033). CONCLUSION It is important to assess the risk factors for recurrent falls and develop differentiated strategies that will help prevent recurrent falls. Additionally, utilizing a standardized tool, such as RAI-HC, would help health professionals assess multi-variate fall risk factors to facilitate comparisons of different community care settings.