Prediction of falls in older adults with cancer: a preliminary study.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To determine the extent to which falls occur in older adult patients with cancer; to identify how falls relate to depression, age, functional status, and cognition; and to develop a model for predicting falls. DESIGN Descriptive, prospective, quantitative. SETTING Patients in the Senior Adult Oncology Program at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. SAMPLE 165 patients aged 70 years or older with any diagnosis of cancer, treatment type, and stage. METHODS Data were collected during a one-time interview using a comprehensive geriatric assessment consisting of the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Scale, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, Mini-Mental State Examination, and a fall assessment. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Falls, functional status, depression, cognition, age, and gender. FINDINGS IADL scores were found to be a predictor of falls while controlling for age and ADL status. An IADL score of 22 predicts a 21% risk of a fall. Fall risk increases to 81% at an IADL score of 9. CONCLUSIONS IADL score is a predictor of falls in this older adult population with cancer. ADL scores are not a predictor of falls when IADL is included in the model. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Nurses must play a vital role in conducting fall screening and risk assessments for older adults with cancer.