Kikkert, L. (Lisette) (2014) Risk factors and circumstances of falling in long term care residents with dementia. thesis, Human Movement Sciences.
Full text available on request.Abstract
Background: Since falls and fall-related injuries represent one of the most problematic consequences of the aging process, this topic is of major importance in today’s greying society. Falls are related to several negative health consequences such as increased dependency and decreased quality of life. In particular elderly residing in long term care (LTC) settings and elderly with dementia form a vulnerable population group that suffer most from those negative health consequences. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify risk factors for falling and to investigate the circumstances of falling. Methods: The present study included residents from LTC settings with dementia (N=18) and identified factors related to fall incidence by using PLS analysis. Moreover, the present study examined the circumstances of falling by using a questionnaire. Results: Especially verbal and physical aggression, slow reaction time, depression, psychoanaleptics, levels of dependency, feet problems and anxiety are associated with high fall frequencies; implicating a higher fall risk when one or more of these variables are present in a resident. Visual problems, dependent day & night rhythm, MS, dermatologicals, analgesics/ painkillers and apraxia/agnosia are associated with low fall frequencies. Most falls occurred un-witnessed (69%), between 8 pm and 12 pm (38%) in the bedroom (38%). The reason for a fall varied strongly among the participants and most fall incidents did not have major health consequences. Conclusion: The results of the study emphasize the development of individualized sensors, based on the fall risk profiles as assessed in the present study, to detect falls and risk full situations in order to prevent falling. To detect falls, it is essential to unravel the way elderly fall. The present study contributed to the development of fall detection systems by investigating the circumstances of falling and by providing personalized fall risk profiles of a specific population group, enabling more tailored and individual fall prevention interventions. Key words: fall risk factors, circumstances of falling, fall prevention and detection, PLS, dementia, long term care residents
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Lamoth, dr. C.J.C. and Kosse, N.M. |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Apr 2022 13:04 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Apr 2022 13:04 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3028 |
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