Prognosis of falls among elderly nursing home residents

The survival rate of 207 nursing home residents who fell during a two-month study period was followed for 12 months and compared with that of 94 residents of the same nursing home who did not fall during the same period. One year after the fall, 74 fallers and 13 controls had died. In the group of fallers, the main factors associated with mortality were male gender, dementia, Parkinsonism, the use of antidepressants, diuretics and vasodilators. Among the controls, the main factors associated with mortality were Parkinsonism, diabetes and the use of diuretics. Thirty-eight fallers (33 women and 5 men) and one (female) control suffered a fracture; 32 of them required hospital attention, and 15 (47%) died during the same hospital stay. These results indicate that falls are an ominous sign, particularly if the subject has dementia, depression or Parkinsonism, or uses diuretics. The male subjects in this study had a lower injury rate than females, but their mortality rate was higher. In terms of prevention, the major concern should be the effective treatment of depression and Parkinsonism. Withdrawal of diuretics, when possible, may have an effect on mortality. Physical training and other stimulating activities should be beneficial, but subjects with severe dementia seem to be beyond this kind of prevention.