A study of factors that predict falls in community-dwelling pre-frail elderly: Follow-up of 2 years

Abstract

[Purpose] We conducted a longitudinal study of the pre-frail elderly, who have a high risk of falls, and examined in detail one of the factors, falls, which is one of the causes leading to need-of-care status. [Subjects] The subjects were 585 community-dwelling elderly. [Methods] Over a 2-year period, a survey was conducted by mail of fall incidents and factors of falls of the 585 persons, who were judged to be pre-frail elderly. [Results] Factors predicting falls were a reduction in nutritional status and a decline in the sense of fulfillment. In addition, money management and fatigue levels were also revealed to be predictors. [Conclusion] The results suggest that for fall prevention among the pre-frail elderly, not only motor function, but also executive function and mental function are involved in the performance of higher levels of activity.