The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Jul 1998
A two-year longitudinal study of falls in 482 community-dwelling elderly adults.
Falls are a common occurrence in elderly persons, including relatively healthy, community-dwelling men and women. A significant percentage of falls result in soft-tissue injuries. Although some risk factors for falls have been identified, more research is needed on risk factors for injurious falls. In addition, there is little information from prospective studies on the long-term consequences of falls other than injury. ⋯ Falls and injurious falls without fracture are frequent events for healthy elderly people and may be associated with morbid changes in cognitive status, physical health, and mobility.