Prevention of Falls and Injurious Falls Among Elderly People

The aim of this study is to describe and analyse the effects of multifactorial trial on the incidence of falls and injurious falls and on different risk factors of falling among the home-dwelling aged.

The aims of the study:

1. To implement a program for the prevention of falls and injurious falls.
2. To describe the structure and activities of the fall prevention program implemented among the aged who are living in their own home, have at least moderate cognitive abilities, have fallen during previous 12 months and are 65 years of age or older. A further aim is to describe the frequency of participation according to age, gender, residence, health and physical condition.
3. To describe the effects of prevention on primary risk factors of falling such as muscle strength, balance, eye sight, medications, depression and home hazards in relation to age, gender, health and physical condition.
4. To describe and assess the effects of prevention on the incidence of falls and injurious falls.
5. To assess the effects of prevention on physical, cognitive and psychosocial functional abilities, quality of life and use of health and social services and deaths.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 65 years of age or older
• home-dweller
• having fallen at least once during the previous 12 months
• at least moderate cognitive abilities (MMSE over 17)
• able to walk 10 metres independently

Exclusion Criteria:

• MMSE under 17