ABSTRACT
Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among Chinese people aged 65 or older. In this paper, we conducted a survey of 1,059 seniors aged 60+ in seven urban communities in Beijing and analyzed the risk factors of their falls with logic regression. For the first time, we integrated family support as a variable with physical, psychological and environmental variables among risk factors for senior falls. Results revealed that family support had a remarkable influence on the respondents’ falls within the previous 2 years and a negative family relationship is a risk factor for falls among the elderly. Some of the psychological factors had a remarkable influence on falls by the respondents within the previous 2 years. Anxiety over falling was a risk factor for falls among the elderly. Some of the environmental factors had significant influence on falls by the respondents within the previous 2 years. Seniors with anti-slip handles in washrooms would be 5.1% less likely to fall than those without handles. It was concluded that the above-mentioned risk factors should be taken into consideration for intervention programs against falls by seniors. Policies for seniors should consider the perspective of families instead of individuals, and measures contributing to family support should be included in intervention programs to facilitate positive family relationships for seniors.
