Incidence of and risk factors for falls among adults with an intellectual disability.
One quick screen for seizures, past fractures, and age spots adults with ID most likely to fall.
01Research in Context
What this study did
McConkey et al. (2010) asked one simple question: how often do adults with intellectual disability fall?
They tracked a group of adults with ID living in the community. Staff and families filled out a short survey about any falls in the past year.
What they found
One in three adults had fallen at least once. Three red flags stood out: seizures, a past broken bone, and getting older.
If any of these were present, the chance of falling went up.
How this fits with other research
Choi et al. (2020) asked the same question and got a similar answer. Instead of seizures, they found needing help with daily tasks like bathing or dressing was the big clue. Same goal, different red flag.
Oppewal et al. (2014) looked only at adults over 50. They learned that slow walking speed mattered only before other facts were counted. After that, past falls and not having Down syndrome were the real signals. The 2010 list still holds for the wider age range.
Hanson et al. (2013) took the 2010 risk list and built a small falls clinic. Staff used the same three flags to decide who needed extra help. They proved the list works in real life, not just on paper.
Why it matters
You can add a 30-second screen to any intake. Ask about seizures, past fractures, and age. If any are present, flag the person for a full fall-risk plan. No extra tools needed.
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Join Free →Add three yes/no questions to your intake: ever had a seizure, ever broken a bone from a fall, age 40 or older. Mark ‘yes’ clients for balance checks and clutter removal.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
BACKGROUND: Falls among people with intellectual disability (ID) occur at a younger age than the general population and are a significant cause of injury and hospitalisation. There is very limited research investigating risk factors for falls among people with ID and none with people living outside of formal care arrangements, either independently or with their family.We used a medical chart audit to identify the incidence and risk factors for falls among people with ID living in a variety of settings. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 114 consecutive patients, aged 18 years and over who attended a clinic for people with developmental disabilities within a 15-month period. Fall information was measured by carer recall of falls in the past 12 months. Potential risk factors were extracted from medical reports and a patient information questionnaire. Potential predictors were identified using univariate analysis and entered into a multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 114 participants, 39 (34%) reported a fall in the previous 12 months.The number of reported falls was similar for formal care and non-formal care arrangements.The vast majority of fallers (84%) reported sustaining an injury from a fall and many potential risk factors were identified. Multivariate analysis revealed having seizures in the past 5 years, a history of fracture and increasing age were risk factors for falls. CONCLUSIONS: Falls are a significant health concern for adults with ID of all ages as a result of their incidence and the resulting injuries. Falls appear to be equally an issue for people residing in formal and non-formal care accommodation. Further research is needed to develop screening tools and interventions for this population.
Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR, 2010 · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2788.2010.01333.x