Accidents in older people living at home: a community-based study assessing prevalence, type, location and injuries

Objectives: To assess the prevalence, type, location of and injuries from h ome accidents, including falls and other accidents, and to explore whether variables including socio-demographic characteristics, medication use and h ome hazards were associated with all home accidents and falls. Method: 657 older people were interviewed about accidents in the previous f our weeks. For a subsample (n=425), a home hazard check was completed. Results: Of the 101 accidents reported, 51% (n=51) were tails and 50% (n=50 ) were other accidents. The most common location for all accidents was outs ide (30%). Most resulted in minor injury to the legs (43%) or arms (39%). M edical treatment was sought for 14% of accidents. Having more than five haz ards and infrequent home visits by healthcare providers were associated wit h having at least one accident and at least one fall. Use of a walking aid was also associated with falling. Conclusion: Rates of falls and other acci dents are considerable. Implications: Work is required to confirm the importance of the relationshi ps suggested and to provide data on the burden of injury associated with no n-fall accidents.