THE CONSEQUENCES OF FALLS TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SLEEP DURATION AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG OLDER INSTITUTIONALIZED ADULTS

Abstract Objective: Falls are among “the ‘giants’ of geriatrics”. The aim of the study was to examine the consequences of falls to physical activity (PA), sleep duration and quality of life (QoL) among institutionalized older people. Methods: 253 residents of three nursing homes at the age of 65 years or more participated in the study. Falls were registered during one year and after this time the Stanford Usual Activity Questionnaire was performed with each subject and each subject answered the questions concerning the sleep duration. The QoL was examined with the EuroQol-5D questionnaire. Results: Falls occurred in 103 subjects. The subjects with the history of fall were characterized by a lower level of PA, lower number of sleep hours and lower basic activities of daily living. In the EuroQol 5D questionnaire responses indicating mobility, self-care and anxiety problems were more pronounced in fallers. Conclusions : Low level of PA is a serious consequence of falls occurrence. History of falls is related to shorter sleep duration. PA and sleep restrictions as well as worse functional capacity may consequently deteriorate the quality of life among older institutionalized adults. Future studies should assess prospectively the bidirectional relationship of lower PA and falls as well as the influence of other factors such as sarcopenia or frailty.