[Fall prediction model for community-dwelling elders based on gender].

PURPOSE

This study was done to explore factors relating to number of falls among community-dwelling elders, based on gender.

METHODS

Participants were 403 older community dwellers (male=206, female=197) aged 60 or above. In this study, 8 variables were identified as predictive factors that can result in an elderly person falling and as such, supports previous studies. The 8 variables were categorized as, exogenous variables; perceived health status, somatization, depression, physical performance, and cognitive state, and endogenous variables; fear of falling, ADL & IADL and frequency of falls.

RESULTS

For men, ability to perform ADL & IADL (β(32)=1.84, p<.001) accounted for 16% of the variance in the number of falls. For women, fear of falling (β(31)=0.14, p<.05) and ability to perform ADL & IADL (β(32)=1.01, p<.001) significantly contributed to the number of falls, accounting for 15% of the variance in the number of falls.

CONCLUSION

The findings from this study confirm the gender-based fall prediction model as comprehensive in relation to community-dwelling elders. The fall prediction model can effectively contribute to future studies in developing fall prediction and intervention programs.