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Falls in older persons with intellectual disabilities: fall rate, circumstances and consequences
E Smulders1, L Enkelaar, V Weerdesteyn
1Department of Rehabilitation, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen Centre for Evidence Based Practice, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Journal of Intellectual Disability Research : JIDR
|October 31, 2012
Summary
Older adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) experience a high fall rate, comparable to general elderly populations but with more severe injuries. This highlights the need for targeted fall prevention strategies for this vulnerable group.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Disability Studies
- Public Health
Background:
- Falls are a significant cause of injury and reduced quality of life, particularly for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID).
- The aging population with ID is rapidly growing, necessitating a deeper understanding of fall-related issues in this demographic.
- This study is the first to prospectively examine fall rates, circumstances, and consequences in older adults with mild to moderate ID.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prospective fall rate in older adults with mild to moderate ID.
- To investigate the circumstances and consequences of falls in this population.
- To inform the development of appropriate fall prevention strategies for individuals with ID.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-two individuals aged 50 and over with mild to moderate ID participated.
- Falls were prospectively registered over one year using monthly calendars to calculate fall rates.
- Caregiver and participant questionnaires gathered data on fall circumstances and consequences.
Main Results:
- The fall rate was 1.00 fall per person per year.
- Most falls occurred during walking, outdoors, and in familiar environments.
- 11.5% of falls led to severe injuries, including fractures.
Conclusions:
- The fall rate in older adults with ID is substantially higher than in the general elderly population.
- Fall circumstances and consequences are similar to the general elderly population.
- Tailored fall prevention strategies are crucial for individuals with ID.
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