Classifying the Types of Falls Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Classification of fall types can guide evaluation and treatment of older adult falls. This study aimed to identify distinct fall types experienced by community-dwelling older adults using a multidimensional approach. Falls were monitored monthly for up to 48 months in an ongoing longitudinal cohort study. Follow-up interviews provided narratives of falls and injuries. K-modes cluster analysis identified patterns in fall circumstances (location, time of day, preceding activity, reason, and attentional issues). A generalized linear mixed-effects model examined the relationship between fall type and injury. Among 1,109 falls by 212 participants, three fall types were identified: (1) distracted indoor falls during complex activities, (2) active outdoor falls, and (3) falls at home during daily activities. Types 1 and 2 were more likely to result in injury than Type 3. These findings can guide tailored fall prevention, encouraging attentiveness during complex activities, safe outdoor mobility, and enhancing home safety for older adults.