Researchers have created a straightforward assessment tool and formula for estimating the risk of falls among older adults, using a comprehensive database. The aim is to prevent falls, which can enhance life expectancy and lower medical and nursing care expenditures.
As societies age, the issue of falling has emerged as a significant global challenge. It is projected that one in three adults over the age of 65 will experience a fall each year, leading to increasingly common injuries.
To address this urgent concern, Associate Professor Hiromitsu Toyoda and Specially Appointed Professor Tadashi Okano from Osaka Metropolitan University’s Graduate School of Medicine, along with Professor Chisato Hayashi from the University of Hyogo, have devised a user-friendly tool and formula to assess fall risks for older adults. This tool was developed using data gathered over a decade from April 2010 to December 2019.
The research involved analyzing 7,726 physical tests and utilizing data from the Japanese government’s Kihon Checklist, which included self-reports from 2,381 participants in community exercise programs. This data analysis was conducted under a collaboration agreement between Sumoto City in Hyogo Prefecture and the University of Hyogo.
While past research pointed to a history of falls and difficulty standing on one leg as primary risk factors, the latest analysis revealed that oral health and cognitive abilities are also significant contributors. Furthermore, it was determined that participating in an exercise program for a short duration did not effectively lower fall risks.
“We believe this tool will be instrumental for healthcare providers in identifying older adults at risk of falls and will aid in their prevention and ongoing care,” remarked Professor Toyoda. “We encourage municipalities to widely adopt this system, as preventing falls not only boosts life expectancy for older adults but also mitigates healthcare and long-term care expenses.”
The findings were published in Osteoporosis International.
