Risk Factors

Falls in the elderly are often multifactorial, resulting from the convergence of several risk factors. Identifying factors that increase a resident’s risk of falling is a key component of the CDC’s STEADI initiative (see, Check Your Risk for Falling). Risk factors can be categorized into two general types – intrinsic (factors from the individual) and extrinsic (factors from the environment) – that aid clinicians and residents in considering all potential contributing factors to assess fall risk and formulate interventions to minimize their effects.