Living Alone and Fall Risk Factors in Community-Dwelling Middle Age and Older Adults

Abstract

As part of a larger study on fall-related risk factors, this study investigated the relationship between living alone status and fall-related variables among community-dwelling adults who lived in a rural county in eastern North Carolina. A convenience sample of 666 community-dwelling adults ages 50 and over participated in this 4-year study and completed a fall questionnaire. Significant findings were found in relation to living alone status and experiencing a fall, who they informed about their fall, injuries, safety equipment, ambulatory devices, and personal emergency response system usage. Three hundred thirty-eight participants stated they lived alone, compared to 300 who lived with others. The percentage reporting a fall was appreciably larger for those living alone (52%) than for those living with others (48%) in both genders in all age groups except for the 61-70 year old adults where the percentage was less. Findings from this research enhance knowledge about the prevalence and contributing fall-related factors in adults who live alone compared to those who live with others. Insights gained from this research will assist community and public health leaders and health care professionals in developing more efficacious intervention strategies to prevent or reduce falls, and associated psychological and physical consequences.

The profile and follow-up of patients who attend the Emergency Department following a fall

“…Compared to the population of older people who attended the ED for other reasons people who experienced a fall tended to be older, were more likely to be women and live alone. These characteristics have been reported elsewhere (Elliott et al, 2009;Menz et al, 2006;Vassallo et al, 2002).…”

Prevalence and Visual Risk Factors for Falls in Bilateral Cataract Patients in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

“…Other possible explanations for this finding may include that older people living alone have higher poverty levels, lower social support, undertake less physical activity and have lower assistance in the event of a fall than those who live with others. 35 Interestingly, the presence of a comorbid condition was associated with a decreased risk of falling for the worse eye model. This may be due to people with comorbid conditions being less mobile or active and having less opportunity to fall or again, the small number of falls recorded.…”

“…The results of this study also support previous findings that a person who lives alone is at an increased risk of a fall compared to those who live with others. 12,35 In Vietnamese culture, different generations live together in one house and children take care of their parents. It is possible that cataract patients who live with their adult children may be restricted from doing heavy jobs around the house, thereby limiting their opportunity to fall.…”

Smartphone-Based Solutions for Fall Detection and Prevention: Challenges and Open Issues

“…Individuals with epilepsy fall during seizure events due to loss of consciousness [2], while those with dementia are two to three times more likely to fall than individuals without cognitive impairment [3]. Living alone itself increases the risk of falls for community elders [4]. Falls can potentially cause severe physical injuries such as disabling fractures [5], and can reduce the independence of older individuals through dramatic psychological consequences [6].…”