Characteristics of outdoor falls among older people: a qualitative study

BMC Geriatrics

Rita Newton⁴  Judith E Phillips²  Claire Ballinger¹  Samuel R Nyman³ 

[1] Research Design Service South Central, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK;Centre for Innovative Ageing, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK;Bournemouth University Dementia Institute and Psychology Research Centre, School of Design, Engineering & Computing, Bournemouth University, Poole House, Talbot Campus, Poole, Dorset BH12 5BB, UK;SURFACE Inclusive Design Research Centre, School of the Built Environment, The University of Salford, The Crescent, Salford M5 4WT, UK

关键词: Qualitative research;    Fear of falls;    Environment and public health;    Older people;    Outdoors;    Accidental falls;   

Others  :  856625
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2318-13-125

 received in 2013-08-30, accepted in 2013-11-12,  发布年份 2013

【 摘 要 】

Background

Falls are a major threat to older people’s health and wellbeing. Approximately half of falls occur in outdoor environments but little is known about the circumstances in which they occur. We conducted a qualitative study to explore older people’s experiences of outdoor falls to develop understanding of how they may be prevented.

Methods

We conducted nine focus groups across the UK (England, Wales, and Scotland). Our sample was from urban and rural settings and different environmental landscapes. Participants were aged 65+ and had at least one outdoor fall in the past year. We analysed the data using framework and content analyses.

Results

Forty-four adults aged 65 – 92 took part and reported their experience of 88 outdoor falls. Outdoor falls occurred in a variety of contexts, though reports suggested the following scenarios may have been more frequent: when crossing a road, in a familiar area, when bystanders were around, and with an unreported or unknown attribution. Most frequently, falls resulted in either minor or moderate injury, feeling embarrassed at the time of the fall, and anxiety about falling again. Ten falls resulted in fracture, but no strong pattern emerged in regard to the contexts of these falls. Anxiety about falling again appeared more prevalent among those that fell in urban settings and who made more visits into their neighbourhood in a typical week.

Conclusions

This exploratory study has highlighted several aspects of the outdoor environment that may represent risk factors for outdoor falls and associated fear of falling. Health professionals are recommended to consider outdoor environments as well as the home setting when working to prevent falls and increase mobility among older people.

【 授权许可】

   
2013 Nyman et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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