Falls and comorbid conditions among community dwelling Arkansas older adults from a population-based survey

Abstract

The prevalence of self-reported falls and associated comorbid conditions among community dwelling Arkansas older adults (ages 65 years and older) was estimated using data from the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. 1,653 Arkansas older adults were surveyed. Eighteen percent of them had sustained a fall at least once in the past three months prior to the survey period. After adjusting for age, general health, coronary heart disease, diabetes status and quality rest or sleep in a multinomial logistic regression, we found that older adults with visual impairment (OR=1.47; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.12), and those who use special equipment (OR=2.85; 95% CI: 1.94, 4.19) were more likely to have sustained a fall. An integrated multidisciplinary approach in caring for older adults is imperative for preventing falls and fall-related injuries. This can also reduce fall-related hospitalizations and potentially result in substantial cost savings as well as improve the quality of life of older Arkansans.