It s been common wisdom that these conditions do cause falls. That s why they are called hazards. But there is actually very little evidence to support that linkage. Gill, principal investigator of the study published in the December issue of the journal Medical Care, said the significance of the results is that money spent making homes of the elderly safer probably could be better utilized. Our study suggests that if you have a set amount of money, it would be better to target areas we already know are effective in preventing falls by the elderly, things like increasing muscle strength, improving gait and balance, proper use of assistive devices, correct footwear, and monitoring of medications.
Falls are common among the elderly and often lead to loss of independence or even death.
Of those elderly who do fall, about 10 percent sustain a serious injury, such as a fracture, joint dislocation, or severe head injury. Falls and fall related injuries also are associated with pain, loss of confidence, functional decline, and placement in a nursing home. Gill and his co-researchers evaluated 1,088 New Haven residents 72 and older and performed home safety assessments to determine whether 13 potential trip or slip hazards were present. These included hazards such as loose throw rugs, obstructed pathways, and slippery bathtubs. They then contacted participants each month for three years asking if they had fallen, and, if they had, what were the circumstances.