Kartläggning av fallriskfaktorer för äldre i ordinärt boende inom landstingen Västmanland och Uppsala län (underlag för intervention)

Sammanfattning: Abstract Objective: To investigate the occurrence of and the risk factors for falls and to  investigate level of fall-related self-efficacy and health-related quality of life in people living in community living, 75 years or older within Uppsala and Västmanlands county. A further aim was to identify predictive risk factors for falls. Design: A cross-section study with a descriptive, comparative and correlative design based on a questionnaire was used. Participants: The participants were recruited from Uppsala and Västmanlands county. A random selection on 525 individuals was done, from a population based sample, in the detailed municipalities. Subjects: The final number of participants was 378 (73 %) individuals in the study. The mean age was 81,7 years, 55% were women. Methods: 1. A questionnaire with background variables and questions that was based on earlier shown risk factor for falls was included in the method.  2. Fall related self-efficacy was measured with the Falls Efficacy Scale, Swedish version (FES (S)). 3. Self -estimated health and health related life quality was measured with European quality of life questionnaire 5 dimensions (EQ-5D). Results: This study showed that of those who had fallen in the last six months, significantly more had help of home service, had higher mean age, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and urinary incontinence and used hypnotic medicines, diuretics and sedatives. People that had not fallen had significantly higher activity level and self-estimated ability to remember. The logistic regression analysis showed that needs of help with everyday activities, self care and FES(S) Instrumental ADL (IADL) significant predicted falls. Conclusion: In an intervention to prevent falls in older people in community living it becomes particularly important to find the individuals that begin to need help with everyday activities, self care and experience fear of falling in IADL-activities. Key words: Falling, risk factors, fear of falling, elderly, avoidance of activities