Identifying older adults at risk for future falls using physical and occupational therapy assessments: A case-control...

To investigate the ability of physical and occupational therapy assessments to predict subsequent fall admissions in older patients who were initially admitted for a fall.

This retrospective matched case-control study examined patients aged ≥65 years admitted for a fall 2015-2019. Cases were those with a second fall admission within one year of discharge and matched 1:1 with controls. Predictors were tested in a Bayesian conditional logistic regression.

There were 208 patients. Mean age at index was 82 ± 8 years and 69 % were female. Patients with any toileting deficits at discharge (OR = 2.86), with recommended discharge to skilled nursing (OR = 3.06), needing minimal assistance during gait evaluation (OR = 4.66), or using a rolling walker or rollator before injury (OR = 2.21) were at increased risk. Patients referred to outpatient occupational therapy were at decreased risk (OR = 0.26).

Higher functioning patients with minimal deficits may warrant additional consideration during the discharge process.