抄録
The present study was undertaken to determine risk factors associated with bathroom falls among the elderly. The subjects were 103 elderly people ranging in age from 65 to 92 who could undress and bathe without assistance, living in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. The facilities and structure of the bathroom were measured to investigate the effect of bathroom falls. Subjects were asked about falls in the bathroom. The results following were obtained. 1. The rate of falls at the bathroom was 9.7% among the elderly, 16.2% among men, 4.5% among women. There was a significant gender difference in the rate of falls. 2. Causes of falling among the elderly were extrinsic (environmental) factors such as stumbling over duckboards and slipping on tile. 3. There was no association between falls and the facilities or structure of the bathroom. 4. To prevent of slipping in the bathroom among the elderly, mats, duckboards and handrails were useful. Some cases had inadequate measures to prevent slipping. These results suggest that (1) we should provide exact information concerning measures to prevent falling in the bathroom, and (2) it is necessary to set up handrails in the bathroom to prevent falling.
The present study was undertaken to determine risk factors associated with bathroom falls among the elderly. The subjects were 103 elderly people ranging in age from 65 to 92 who could undress and bathe without assistance, living in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. The facilities and structure of the bathroom were measured to investigate the effect of bathroom falls. Subjects were asked about falls in the bathroom. The results following were obtained. 1. The rate of falls at the bathroom was 9.7% among the elderly, 16.2% among men, 4.5% among women. There was a significant gender difference in the rate of falls. 2. Causes of falling among the elderly were extrinsic (environmental) factors such as stumbling over duckboards and slipping on tile. 3. There was no association between falls and the facilities or structure of the bathroom. 4. To prevent of slipping in the bathroom among the elderly, mats, duckboards and handrails were useful. Some cases had inadequate measures to prevent slipping. These results suggest that (1) we should provide exact information concerning measures to prevent falling in the bathroom, and (2) it is necessary to set up handrails in the bathroom to prevent falling.
