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Injuries among the Elderly in the Home Environment

Detailed Analysis of Mechanisms and Consequences

University of Umed, Sweden

Ulf Björnstig, MD, PhD

University of Ume, Sweden

Six hundred persons (aged 60 years and over) injured in 621 injury events in the home environment and treated at the Regional Hospital in Ume, Northern Sweden in a 1-year period, were studied. The injury and fracture rates were 30 and 15 per 1,000 elderly home population, respectively. Injuries were grouped into fall injuries (76%) and nonfall injuries (24%). The fall injury incidence was higher in women than in men. Most fall injuries occurred indoors. Environmental factors played a role in half of the fall injuries, and intrinsic factors in at least one fifth. Intrinsic factors in fall injuries became increasingly important with advancing age. Nonfall injuries were sustained in woodworking, home maintenance or building work, and household chores. Fall injuries were of a greater severity than nonfall injuries and accounted for 82% of the injury-related costs in this age group. The medical "cost" exceeded the corresponding cost of traffic and occupational injuries among all ages in the same geographic area. In conclusion, prevention of injuries, particularly falls, in this vulnerable and increasing homebound population is urgently needed.

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