A sample of 761 subjects 70 years and over was drawn from general-practice records a rural township. Each subject assessed followed for 1 year to determine the incidence factors related falls. The fall rate (number falls per 100 person-years) increased 47 those aged 70–74 121 80 over. There no sex difference in but men were more likely than women outside at greater levels activity. Twenty cent associated with trips slips we found evidence that inspection homes installation safety features...

An analysis of falls experienced by a stratified population sample 553 subjects, 65 years and over, was performed. It is estimated that one third people over experience or more in year. To analyse the association physical social variables with falls, were divided into pattern occasional falls. Pattern those which, on history examination, assessed as arising from only minimal external upset primarily disorder balance postural stability subject. Occasional which had arisen under circumstances...

Despite increasing use in the literature of old age,'frailty' remains an ill-defined term. The components offrailty have not been sufficiently defined to be used toidentify a research population or group requiring apublic health intervention. It is currently too indefinitea state identify particular needs anindividual, indeed being 'too frail' may tojustify investigative and therapeutic nihilism. However,we contend that, properly defined, with majorcontributing factors frailty teased out, it...

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of psychotropic medication withdrawal and a home‐based exercise program in reducing falls older people. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial with two by factorial design. SETTING: Seventeen general practices Dunedin, New Zealand. PARTICIPANTS: Women men aged 65 years registered practitioner currently taking (n = 93). INTERVENTIONS: Two interventions: (1) gradual versus continuing to take (double blind) (2) home‐ based no (single blind). MEASUREMENTS:...

BACKGROUND: after 1 year, a home-based programme of strength and balance retraining exercises was effective in reducing falls injuries women aged 80 years older. The exercise had been individually prescribed by physiotherapist during the first 2 months randomized controlled trial. OBJECTIVE: we aimed to assess effectiveness over years. SUBJECTS: from both control group completing 1-year trial (213 out original 233) were invited continue for further year. METHODS: compliance monitored...

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objectives</b> To assess the efficacy and cost effectiveness of a home safety programme exercise to reduce falls injuries in older people with low vision. <b>Design</b> Randomised controlled trial. <b>Setting</b> Dunedin Auckland, New Zealand. <b>Participants</b> 391 women men aged ≥(1) 75 visual acuity 6/24 or worse who were living community; 92% (361 391) completed one year follow-up. <b>Interventions</b> Participants received assessment modification delivered by an...

OBJECTIVES: To describe the circumstances of falls resulting in hip fractures among older people and to determine whether differ by gender, age, residential status. DESIGN: Cross‐sectional study. SETTING: Two hospitals Auckland, New Zealand, which all individuals aged 60 years or with a fracture proximal femur are hospitalized. PARTICIPANTS: A total 911 (97% response rate) were hospitalized femur; 77% women, 66% 80 older, 58% living private homes at time fracture. MEASUREMENTS: Data...

In a randomly selected sample of 559 subjects 65 years and over living in the community institutions prevalence urinary incontinence was found to be 11.6%. those 80 rose 21.7%. Those with dementia were more likely incontinent than normal mental function. majority who incontinent, associated either confusion or combination factors. The estimated population faecal for 3.1%. Urinary an increased risk death. review after three 73.5% group had died while only 34.9% originally continent died....

Purpose. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence depression in a sample older adults with impaired vision and investigate associations between physical visual disability depression. Methods. We analyzed cross-sectional baseline data from 391 participants aged ≥75 years acuity 6/24 (20/80) or less, recruited for randomized controlled trial interventions prevent falls (the VIP trial). Measures included geriatric scale (GDS-15), state-trait anxiety index, activities daily living...

To assess 2-year excess mortality or institutionalization risk associated with hip fracture in community-dwelling people aged 60 and over.Cohort study.Auckland, New Zealand, from July 1991 to February 1996.Five hundred sixty-five older recently hospitalized a 782 randomly selected controls, frequency matched for age gender, living the same catchment area as cases.Two-year status.Over half (52.1%) of male cases 12.4% controls were dead institutionalized, compared 39.2% female 19.7% controls....

Background. The study addressed whether changes in gait speed community-dwelling older adults were associated with fitness (strength and aerobic capacity), physical health status, and/or depressive symptoms. Methods. sample comprised 152 aged 68–85 who had participated an exercise study. Study measures at baseline 6-month follow-up included speed, a leg strength score, maximal capacity (V02max), CES-Depression scale, status (SIP Physical Dimension). Results. In cross-sectional regression...

A prospective study was undertaken to investigate the incidence and aetiology of acute confusional states in physically ill old people. The subjects were 71 patients aged 70 years or over who admitted as emergencies a general medical unit. Mental testing revealed that: (a) one six had an state on admission; (b) four evidence dementia. presence dehydration/volume depletion at time admission estimated by various parameters which brought together form new index called 'dehydration score'. There...

STUDY OBJECTIVE--The aim was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with constipation in elderly people. DESIGN--The study a survey involving administration of structured questionnaire, an interview, dietary assessment. SETTING--The community based population studied drawn from practice records all five general practitioners serving rural township 13,500 PARTICIPANTS--778 (91.8%) 856 people aged 70 years over registered took part. MAIN RESULTS--174 subjects had symptoms...

To investigate the association between potential risk factors and falls in community-dwelling adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).We followed patients for 1 year of followup a prospective cohort study monthly calendars telephone calls. Lower extremity muscle strength, postural stability, number swollen tender joints, functional status, history falling, fear pain, fatigue, medication, use steroids were assessed as falls.A total 386 women 173 men RA (n = 559) ages 18-88 years completed...

Home set-up polysomnography (PSG) has advantages over other portable monitoring devices, but remains unendorsed by professional bodies despite excellent utility in the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS). The study aims to determine technical reliability and diagnostic accuracy of unattended, home versus attended laboratory-based PSG patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Thirty OSA without significant co-morbidity were recruited. After initial lab-PSG (Compumedics S series),...

We aimed to investigate the influence of ethnicity on adherence with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in a sample New Zealand patients. Observational study over one month. A university-based sleep laboratory. 126 consecutively consenting CPAP-naïve patients (19.8% Māori, mean±SD apnea-hypopnea index 57.9 ± 38.9 events/h, CPAP 11.1 3.1 cm H2O). Patients underwent 4-week supervised home trial following titration. Self-identified (Māori/non-Māori), Epworth Sleepiness Scale,...