[Physical causes of accidental falls among the elderly in their own homes]

Accidental falls in elderly persons involve considerable illness and great hospital costs. During the period 1971-1986, the incidence has risen from 14 to 19 per 1000 annually. Four hundred and seventy-three individuals aged 60 years or more who had fallen in their own homes and who sought help in Odense Hospital after the accident were interviewed consecutively. The replies to these interviews described the circumstances involved in the fall together with the health and social conditions. Women constituted 78% of the material with preponderance of people living alone as compared with the background population. Just under half of the patients had had a previous fall. Fractures were sustained in 40% of the cases. In 51% of the cases, a definite or probable external circumstance was the cause of the fall. In 150 out of 237 accidental falls, caused by external circumstances, the accident was considered to have been preventable by means of eg more accessible lighting, non-slip carpeting, removal of doorsteps, more suitable arrangement of furniture and better supportive measures beside stairs. The risk of falling is found to increase markedly in persons aged 75 years or more. Prophylactic measures are recommended before patients reach this age by means of information to elderly persons and to persons involved in home care about situations involving risks.