Abstract

Falls even among home-dwelling elderly are frequently associated with death and morbidity. Yet, this is not generally appreciated by practitioners or researchers. Those who work with institutionalized elderly have been much more aware of falls as a serious problem. This review of the literature suggests (1) that while environmental causes for falling have a commonsense appeal, it is likely that intrinsic (host) factors become more important with age, and (2) that careful studies using such methodologies as case control, and longitudinal surveillance, are necessary to further elucidate risk factors for falling and to direct preventive strategy.

Keywords

Falling (accident)AppealGerontologyElderly peoplePsychologyMedicineEnvironmental healthPolitical science

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Publication Info

Year
1985
Type
article
Volume
145
Issue
6
Pages
1089-1089
Citations
165
Access
Closed

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Cite This

Herbert W. Nickens (1985). Intrinsic Factors in Falling Among the Elderly. Archives of Internal Medicine , 145 (6) , 1089-1089. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1985.00360060157024

Identifiers

DOI
10.1001/archinte.1985.00360060157024