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Risk factors for falls among older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in urban and regional communities
Author(s) -
Lukaszyk Caroline,
Radford Kylie,
Delbaere Kim,
Ivers Rebecca,
Rogers Kris,
Sherrington Catherine,
Tiedemann Anne,
Coombes Julieann,
Daylight Gail,
Draper Brian,
Broe Tony
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12481
Subject(s) - medicine , gerontology , quarter (canadian coin) , suicide prevention , older people , demography , population , depression (economics) , injury prevention , occupational safety and health , poison control , geography , environmental health , sociology , archaeology , pathology , economics , macroeconomics
Objective To examine associations between fall risk factors identified previously in other populations and falls among Aboriginal people aged 60 years and older, living in New South Wales, Australia. Methods Interviews were conducted with older Aboriginal people in five urban and regional communities. Associations between past falls and 22 fall predictor variables were examined using linear and multiple regression analyses. Results Of the 336 participants, 80 people (24%) reported at least one fall in the past year, and 34 (10%) reported two or more falls. Participants had an increased fall risk if they were female; used three or more medications; had arthritis, macular degeneration, depression, history of stroke; were unable to do their own housework; or were unable to do their own shopping. Conclusion Falls were experienced by one‐quarter of study participants. Fall risk factors identified for older Aboriginal people appear to be similar to those identified in the general population. Understanding of fall risk factors may assist with the development of appropriate and effective community‐led fall prevention programs.