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Precipitating factors for falls among patients with dementia on a psychogeriatric ward

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 February 2010

Sofie Tängman ,
Staffan Eriksson ,
Yngve Gustafson  and
Lillemor Lundin-Olsson
Sofie Tängman*
Affiliation:
Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Geriatric Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå University. Umeå, Sweden
Staffan Eriksson
Affiliation:
Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Geriatric Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå University. Umeå, Sweden
Yngve Gustafson
Affiliation:
Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Geriatric Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
Lillemor Lundin-Olsson
Affiliation:
Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå University. Umeå, Sweden
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Sofie Tängman, Geriatric Medicine, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden. Phone: +46 90 785 88 46; Fax: +46 90 13 06 23. Email: [email protected].
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Abstract

Background: Predisposing factors alone explain only a limited proportion of the variation in fall events, especially in people with dementia. The aim of this study was to identify precipitating factors for falls among people with dementia.

Methods: We examined prospective fall registrations over a two-year period on a psychogeriatric hospital ward in the north of Sweden. Circumstances associated with each fall event were analyzed by independent reviewers, possible precipitating factors were documented, evaluated and the most likely precipitating factors were identified. In total, 223 patients with any type of diagnosed dementia were admitted to the ward and 91 fell at least once. Of these, 46 were women and 45 were men (mean age 80.3 years, range 60–94).

Results: A total of 298 falls were registered, 62% of which were sustained by men. The most likely factor or combination of factors could be ascertained in 247 falls (83%). Falls took place at all hours but almost half of the falls (44%) occurred during the nightshift (between 9pm and 7am). Acute disease or symptoms of disease and/or acute drug side-effects were, alone or in combination with other factors, judged to precipitate more than three out of four falls.

Conclusion: It is possible to identify many precipitating factors that may contribute to a fall. Falls in people with dementia should be regarded as a symptom of acute disease or as a drug side-effect until proven otherwise. Prompt detection of these relevant factors is, therefore, essential.

Keywords

accidental fallsrisk factorsdementiahospitalsprospective studies
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 22 , Issue 4 , June 2010 , pp. 641 - 649
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2010

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