SCIE research briefing 1: Preventing falls in care homes - references
Click here for a full alphabetical list of the references.
(1) Butler M. Norton R. Lee-Joe T. Coggan C. (1998) Preventing falls and fall-related injuries among older people living in institutions: current practice and future opportunities. New Zealand Medical Journal 111(1074): 359-361. Abstract available.
New Zealand based research involved a self-administered questionnaire about falls and fall prevention being sent to care homes: there were 175 responses.
(2)Taylor J. Morris M (1999) Education, Staff Knowledge and Falling in Hostel Residents. Physiotherapy Singapore 2(4): 128-134.
Australian based research involved the use of a time-series design to test the effectiveness of a falls education programme on 120 care home residents.
(3) Feder G. Cryer C. Donovan S. Carter Y. (2000) Guidelines for the prevention of falls in people over 65. BMJ 321(7267): 1007-11.
Provides an update of systematic reviews prior to 1998. Full text available.
(4) Krueger PD. Brazil K. Lohfeld LH. (2001) Risk factors for falls and injuries in a long-term care facility in Ontario. Canadian Journal of Public Health 92(2): 117-20. Abstract available.
Canadian based research involved a case-control study of the risk factors for falls and injuries amongst 335 residents of one care home.
(5) Rubenstein L Z. Josephson K R. Osterweil M D. (1996) Falls and Fall Prevention in the Nursing Home. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine 12(4): 881-902. Abstract available.
US overview of falls in the care home, focusing on identifiable causes, risk factors and preventative approaches.
(6) Jensen J. Lundin-Olsson L. Nyberg L. Gustafson Y. (2002) Fall and injury prevention in older people living in residential care facilities. A cluster randomized trial. Annals of Internal Medicine 136(10): 733-41. Abstract available.
Sweden based research involved the use of a cluster, randomised, controlled, non-blinded trial to test the effectiveness of a multifactorial intervention programme on falls and fall-related injuries for 439 residents of 9 care homes.
(7) Schoenfelder D P. (2000) A Fall Prevention Program for Elderly Individuals: Exercise in Long-Term Care Settings. Journal of Gerontological Nursing 26(3): 43-51. Abstract available
US based research involved a pretest-posttest randomised design to test the role of exercise in fall prevention amongst 16 residents from 2 nursing homes.
(8) Close J. Ellis M. Hooper R. Glucksman E. Jackson S. Swift C. (1999). Prevention of falls in the elderly trial (PROFET): a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet: 93-97. Abstract available
UK based research involved a randomised controlled study to test the effectiveness of a structured, multidisciplinary assessment of 397 fallers living in the community.
(9) Eakman A.M. Havens M.D. Ager S J. Buchanan R.L. Fee N.J. Gollick S.G. Michels M.J. Olson L.L. Satterfield K.M. Stevenson K.A. (2002) Fall Prevention in Long-Term Care: An In-House Interdisciplinary Team Approach. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation 17(3): 29-39.
US based research involved the collection of data on fall occurrence and evaluation of the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary fall prevention team for 25 residents of one intermediate care unit.
(10) Gillespie L.D. Gillespie W.J. Robertson M.C. Lamb S.E. Cumming R.G. Rowe B.H. (2001) Interventions for Preventing Falls in Elderly People (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2003. Abstract available
A systematic review of randomised trials of interventions to reduce falls in the elderly.
(11) Cryer C. Patel S. (2001) Falls, fragility and fractures. National Service Framework for Older People. The case for and strategies to implement a joint Health Improvement and Modernisation Plan for falls and osteoporosis. London: Proctor and Gamble.
Guidelines for the prevention of falls with an emphasis on the effects of osteoporosis.
(12) Becker C. Kron M. Lindemann U. Sturm E. Eichner B. Walter-Jung B. Thorsten N. (2003) Effectiveness of a Multifaceted Intervention on Falls in Nursing Home Residents. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 51(3): 306-313. Abstract available
Research based in Germany involved the use of a prospective, cluster-randomised controlled 12-month trial of the effectiveness of a multifaceted, non-pharmaceutical intervention on the incidence of falls and fallers amongst 981 residents of 6 community nursing homes.
(13) Parker M.J. Gillespie L.D. Gillespie W.J. (2003) Hip Protectors for Preventing Hip Fracture in the Elderly (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2003.
A systematic review of randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials to determine if hip protectors reduce the rate of hip fracture in elderly people following a fall. Abstract available
(14) Counsel and Care (undated) Residents taking risks. Minimising the use of restraint - A guide for care homes. Counsel and Care.
Guidelines on the use of risk assessments and restraint in care homes.
(15) McCreadie C. (2001) Making Connections: good practice in the prevention and management of elder abuse: Learning from SSI inspection reports in community and residential care settings. London. Kings College London, Age Concern Institute of Gerontology.
Central government policy document.
(16) Capezuti E. Evans L. Strumpf N. Maislin G. (1996) Physical Restraint Use and Falls in Nursing Home Residents. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 44(6): 627-633. Abstract available
US based research involved the secondary analysis of data from a longitudinal clinical trial designed to reduce restraint use amongst 322 nursing home residents.
(17) McMurdo M.E.T. Millar A.M. Daly F. (2000) A Randomized Controlled Trial of Fall Prevention Strategies in Old Peoples' Homes. Gerontology 46: 83-87. Abstract available
UK based research involved a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of falls risk factor assessment/modification and exercise training in reducing falls amongst 133 residents of care homes.
(18) Nowalk M.P. Prendergast J.M. Bayles C.M. D'Amico F.J. Colvin G.C. (2001) A Randomized Trial of Exercise Programs Among Older Individuals Living in Two Long-Term Care Facilities: The FallsFREE Program. Journal of the American Geriatric Society 49(7): 859-865. Abstract available
US based research involved a randomised controlled trial to test the effectiveness of two different exercise programmes over a 2-year period in reducing falls amongst 110 residents of 2 long-term care facilities.
(19) Ray W.A. Taylor J.A. Meador K.G. Thapa P.B. Brown A.K. Kajihara H.K. Davis C. Gideon P. Griffin M.R. (1997) [Abstract] A Randomized Trial of a Consultation Service to Reduce Falls in Nursing Homes. Journal of the American Medical Association 278(7): 557-562.
US based research involved a randomised controlled trial to evaluate a falls prevention intervention programme amongst 482 residents from 7 paired nursing homes. Abstract available
(20) Department of Health (2001) National Service Framework for Older People. Standard Six: Falls (pp 76-89).
Central government policy document.
(21) Department of Health (2003) How can we help older people not fall again? Implementing the Older People's NSF Falls Standard: Support for commissioning good services.
Central government policy document.
(22) Department of Health (2002) Preventing Accidental Injury - Priorities for Action.
Central government policy document.
(23) Dorset HealthCare (2000, revised 2002) Guidelines for the prevention and management of falls in the elderly: Residential Care.
Practice guideline.
(24) Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Falls Prevention Steering Group (2001) Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Falls Prevention and Management Strategy.
Practice guidelines.
(25) American Geriatrics Society, British Geriatrics Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Panel on Falls Prevention (2001) Guidelines for the Prevention of Falls in Older Persons.
US practice guidelines.
(26) NSW Health Department (2001) Preventing Injuries From Falls in Older People.
Australian practice guidelines.
(27) Shanley C. (1998) Putting your Best Foot Forward. Preventing and Managing Falls in Aged Care Facilities. Sydney: Centre for Education & Research on Ageing. Abstract available at:
Australian practice guidelines.
(28) Hughes M. (2002) Fall prevention and the national service framework. Nursing Standard 17(4): 33-38.
Research involved use of a non-experimental, descriptive, fixed-study design to examine the prevalence and nature of fall prevention strategies amongst NHS bodies: there were 105 responses.
(29) Close J.C.T. (2001) Interdisciplinary practice in the prevention of falls - a review of working models of care. Age and Ageing 30(S4): 8-12.
A UK overview of risk strategies and randomised controlled trials of fall prevention. Full text available
(30) Stevens M. Holman C.D'A.J. Bennett N. de Klerk N. (2001) Preventing Falls in Older People: Outcome Evaluation of a Randomized Controlled Trial. [Abstract] Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 49(11): 1448-1455.
Australian based research involved a randomised controlled trial with a 1-year follow-up to evaluate the effectiveness of hazard reduction in the home amongst 1,737 elderly people. Abstract available
(31) Nuffield Institute for Health, University of Leeds (1996) Preventing Falls and Subsequent Injury in Older People. Churchill Livingstone.
An overview of randomised controlled trials of fall prevention interventions.
(32) van Schoor N.M. Smit J.H. Twisk J.W.R. Bouter L.M. Lips P. (2003) Prevention of Hip Fractures by External Hip Protectors: A Randomized Controlled Trial. [Abstract] Journal of the American Medical Association 289(15): 1957-1962. Abstract available
Netherlands based research involved a randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of hip protectors in reducing hip fractures amongst 561 elderly residents of nursing homes and apartment houses.
(33) Thapa P.B. Brockman K.G. Gideon P. Fought R.L. Ray W.A. (1996) Injurious Falls in Nonambulatory Nursing Home Residents: A Comparative Study of Circumstances, Incidence and Risk Factors. [Abstract] Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 44(3): 273-278. Abstract available.
US based research involved a prospective cohort study with 1-year follow-up of falls resulting in serious injury amongst 725 non-ambulatory and 503 ambulatory residents of 12 community nursing homes.
(34) Kallin K., Gustafson Y., Sandman P.O., Karlsson S. (2004). Drugs and falls in older people in geriatric care settings. Aging - Clinical and Experimental Research, 16 (4), 270-276.
This study aimed to identify predictors of falls among older people. Abstract available
(35) Vassallo M., Vignaraja R., Sharma J.C., Briggs R., Allen S.C. (2004). Predictors for falls among hospital inpatients with impaired mobility. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 97 (6), 266-269.
This is a prospective open observational study of the factors predicting falls for 825 patients. Abstract available
(36) National Institute for Clinical Excellence (2004). Falls: the assessment and prevention of falls in older people, London.
This document provides guidance on the assessment and prevention of falls among the elderly. The guidance recommends individualised, multifactorial intervention.
(37) Chang J. et al (2004). Interventions for the prevention of falls in older adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials. British Medical Journal, 328 (7441), 680-683.
This study assesses the relative effectiveness of interventions to prevent falls in older people. Full text available
(38) Vu M.Q., Weintraub N., Rubenstein L.Z. (2004). Falls in the nursing home: are they preventable? Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 5 (6), 401-406.
This is a review of the research findings on falls prevention in care homes. Abstract available
(39) Jensen J., Nyberg L., Rosendahl E., Gustafson Y., Lundin-Olsson L. (2004). Effects of a fall prevention programme including exercise on mobility in frail older people living in residential care facilities. Aging - Clinical and Experimental Research, 16(4), 283-292.
This study aimed to assess the effect of exercise as part of a falls prevention programme.
(40) O'Keeffe S.T. (2004). Down with bedrails? Lancet, 363 (9406), 343-344.
This article comments on the value of bed rails for older people.
(41) Dobrzanska L. et al (2004). A falls prevention exercise programme in a primary care trust. Quality in Ageing. Policy, Practice and Research, 5 (3), 25-32.
This paper reports on a number of local initiatives to reduce falls by older people.
(42) Help and Aged (2003). Preventing falls: reducing falls risk among older people.
This document provides relevant information for professionals involved in developing falls prevention services.