Identifying nursing home residents at risk for falling

A recent history of falling may be the best predictor of nursing home residents who are at greatest risk of another fall. Researchers studied 18,855 residents of 272 nursing homes in Washington state. Twenty-nine percent fell down during the year studied. Residents who fell were more likely to have a falling history, a history of wandering, or use a walker or cane. Patients who could independently move and transfer to and from bed and chairs were more likely to fall, possibly because they had more opportunity.