Falls are a real concern for wheelchair and motorized scooter users

A recent survey of wheelchair or motorized scooter users reveals that almost all of them had fallen at least once in the past year.

Researchers at the University of Illinois looked at survey data from 156 adults who use a wheelchair or motorized scooter for at least 75% of their mobility and had a history of one or more falls in the past three years. The participants, who had a median age of 33, included young and older adults.

Among the findings:

• 96% of the respondents reported falling in the past 12 months.
• 74% were injured by the fall.
• 94.6% were afraid of falling again.

“We also found that participants who experienced fall-related injuries were, on average, younger than those who did not experience such injuries,” said study co-author Sahel Moein, a graduate student at U of I. “This is in contrast with many of the previous findings among community dwelling adults, where older age was associated with falls and their consequences. So, we believe that people who are younger have riskier behaviors, which put them at higher risk of experiencing injuries.”

The researchers recommend health care providers gauge wheelchair and scooter users’ risk of falling and provide safety training.

“Health care providers sometimes think that giving someone a wheelchair will solve their problem of falling,” said study co-author Laura Rice, a health and kinesiology professor at U of I. “But people need to also be trained to use the new equipment and how to cope with the challenges that come with these devices.”

The study was published online in the journal Disability and Rehabilitation.