Fall Risk Factors in Community-Dwelling Elderly Who Receive Medicaid-Supported Home- and Community-Based Care Services

Objective: This study identifies fall risk factors in an understudied population of older people who receive community-based care services. Method: Data were collected from enrollees of Ohio’s Medicaid home- and community-based waiver program (preadmission screening system providing options and resources today [PASSPORT]). A total of 23,182 participants receiving PASSPORT services in 2005/2006 was classified as fallers and nonfallers, and a variety of risk factors for falling was analyzed using logistic regressions. Results: The following factors were identified as risk factors for falling: previous fall history, older age, White race, incontinence, higher number of medications, fewer numbers of activity of daily living limitations, unsteady gait, tremor, grasping strength, and absence of supervision. Discussion: Identifying risk factors for the participants of a Medicaid home- and community-based waiver program are useful for a fall risk assessment, but it would be most helpful if the community-based car...