Falls among Older Adults in Private Nursing Homes in Northeastern Thailand
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/dcj.2026.34Keywords:
falls, older adults, nursing homes, environmental hazards, risk factorAbstract
Falls are the second leading cause of death from unintentional injury worldwide, and older adults have the highest mortality rates. However, there have been no published studies on falls among older adults in private nursing homes, particularly in northeastern Thailand, which has the highest proportion of older adults in the country. This mixed-method study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of falls, and examine factors associated with falls among older adults in private nursing homes. Fifty-six eligible older adults from 20 nursing homes were recruited to collect quantitative fall data over the previous six months. Qualitative data were collected via in-depth interviews with one key informant (a representative or caregiver) from all 20 facilities. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and Firth's penalized logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with falls among older adults. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The quantitative results showed that 5 of 56 older adults (8.9%, 95% CI: 3.7-20.2) experienced falls within the previous six months, with most events occurring in the bedroom while walking or changing positions. The only factor significantly associated with falls was the sedatives use. The most common environmental fall-risk factors were the absence of bathroom partitions and inadequate lighting. The qualitative findings revealed that older adults received close constant 24-hour supervision, and that factors associated with falls included caregiver-related, environmental, and individual (older adult-related) factors. In conclusion, the prevalence of falls among older adults residing in private nursing homes in northeastern Thailand was low. However, some facilities had environmental conditions that led to falls among older adults.
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