The Factors of Physical Effects on Elderly People from Accidents of Falling from a Sitting Position

Abstract

  Purpose: The aim of this study was to clarify the factors of physical effects on the elderly as a result of accidents of falling from a sitting position.

  Methods: Nurses working in three long-term care health facilities were asked to identify accidents in which a person fell from a sitting position from among all accident reports in the past year. Information on the accident circumstances and characteristics of the elderly people involved was obtained. Using a logistic model, the effects of sex, and level of independence in daily living of elderly people with dementia were adjusted and the odds ratios (OR) were calculated.

  Results: In 112 accidents of falling from a sitting position, the highest proportion (50.9％) occurred in living rooms. There were physical effects in 22 cases (19.6％). More elderly people with a sideways tilt in the upper body had a physical effect than those without a tilt (OR＝6.93, p＝0.016).

  Discussion: Physical effects in elderly people resulting from accidents of falling from a sitting position are affected by a sideways tilt in the upper body, suggesting the importance of watching over elderly people with a focus on posture when they are sitting.