Factors Contributing to Falls in Elderly Men Living in the Community

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2002

Description

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors related to falls in elder men and the differences between those who fall and those who do not. A convenience sample (n = 71) of men age 65-87 was interviewed, and their activity levels, mental status, mobility status, and weight were evaluated. Most men (73%) had fair to good mental status, minimal (35%) to moderate (56%) activity levels, and average (30%) or high (49%) weight. Fifty-two percent reported falling in the past 2 years: 43% of these men fell once, 19% fell two or three times, and 38% fell four or more times. Only two variables were significant (P < .05) between men who fell and those who did not: low weight and slow gait time. Poor balance approached significance at P = .0512. In ambulatory elderly men, those who were underweight with slow gait time and poor balance were most at risk for falling.

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