Instruments for measuring fall risk in older adults living in long-term care facilities: an integrative review

Lack of consistency in the literature regarding the use of fall risk assessment in long-term care settings and the uniqueness of the environment demand a critical analysis of fall risk instruments specific to older adults living in long-term care facilities. This integrative review of the existing literature on instruments used to measure fall risk in residents living in long-term care facilities revealed a total of 16 fall risk assessment tools from 13 studies. Of the 13 studies, only 8 reported sensitivity, specificity, and interrater reliability values of the tools. Only the Morse Fall Scale and Mobility Fall Chart demonstrated high predictive values in their initial developmental studies. This review can help clinicians make informed choices about tools to predict falls in their settings and establish appropriate preventive interventions.