The Prevalence of Falls Among Older Adults Living in Long Term Care Facilities in the City of Cape Town

Falls are a prevalent health concern with a multi-factorial origin causing numerous complications for the older adults, especially those in low- and middle-income countries, such as South Africa. This study seeks to address the prevalence of falls among older adults living in different types of long-term care (LTC) facilities in the City of Cape Town. A total of 258 males and females aged between 60 – 95 years were recruited. Data collection occurred from September 2021 to January 2022. Participants were categorized into low, moderate, or high fall risk using the Fall Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT). Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics and fall prevalence. Chi-square test determined significant associations between facility type, marital status, educational level, and their relationship to falling. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient assessed associations between fall occurrences and various risk factors. Findings indicated the prevalence of falls was 32.6%. Falls were significantly associated with behaviours such as agitation or confusion, and other unmentioned risk factors. Participants living in Non-Profit Organisations (NPO), who had a lower education level and were single or widowed, indicated a higher fall prevalence. The use of antidepressant and antidiabetic medications were significantly linked to increased fall risk. These findings can inform future research and the development of strategies to prevent falls among older adults, particularly in LTC facilities.