Cook, C; Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Odessa, Texas. chad.cook@ttuhsc.edu.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate demographic and psychological well being variables to determine if they could improve the information provided from current fall risk models. Falls are a significant problem in older Americans and are negatively associated with quality of life and health. Current fall risk models are costly, expensive, and do not represent all reasons for falls. This information could be used preventatively to reduce fall risk in older Americans. SUBJECTS: The sample consists of over 11,000 Americans, 65 and older and is generalizable to the older population within the United States. The sample was limited to home dwelling older Americans in the contiguous 48 states. METHODS: The study was a cross sectional, longitudinal survey design using the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) database. To ensure internal and external validity, several years and 31 million dollars were spent on administration and data assignment. The data are available to researchers upon registration. ANALYSIS: A logistic regression analysis using SAS 8.0 was run to measure the association between the independent variables (IV) of demographic risk factors (age, marital status, gender, education, monthly expenditures) as well as psychological well being risk factors (positive attitude, loneliness, anxiety, activity level, depression and perceived health) with the dependent variables (DV) of fall incidence and fall with injury. A linear regression was run with the same IV’s and fall frequency (DV). RESULTS: Several variables were significant in their association with fall incidence, fall with injury and fall frequency. The variables age, depression and anxiety were positively associated with fall incidence, fall with injury and fall frequency. The variables Black race, and report of good perceived health were associated negatively with fall incidence, fall with injury and fall frequency. Other variables had mixed associations. Being male was negatively associated with fall incidence, and fall with injury but positively associated with fall frequency. Positive attitude was positively associated with falls but negatively associated with fall frequency. Being Hispanic was negatively associated and increased monthly expenditure was positively associated with fall frequency. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study could be used to improve current fall risk models and may assist in providing preventative intervention for "at-risk" older Americans. FUNDING SOURCE: None.

Copyright 2004 by the American Physical Therapy Association

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