Informal Caregiver-Observed Fall Risk Indicators and Caregiver Responses to Prevent Falls Among Community-Dwelling Older People: A Systematic Review.

In 30 seconds

This systematic review synthesized 16 studies of informal caregivers’ observations of fall-risk indicators and their preventive responses among community-dwelling older people. Qualitative content analysis identified indicators across mobility and gait, cognition and behavior, daily functioning, physiological signs, environmental hazards, and risk-related behaviors. Caregivers responded with closer monitoring, practical assistance, environmental changes, safety promotion, and contact with health professionals. The review describes an observation-to-response pathway; it does not report a pooled effect estimate showing that these actions reduce falls.

Key findings

• Sixteen studies were included in the systematic review.
• Caregiver-observed indicators spanned mobility and gait, cognitive and neurobehavioral changes, functional decline, physiological signs, environmental hazards, and behavioral risks.
• Caregiver responses included increased monitoring, mobility or functional assistance, environmental modifications, safety promotion, and seeking professional support.

Why it matters

Caregivers may notice changes in everyday settings that are relevant to fall risk and can act on those observations. Synthesizing the indicators and responses offers a framework for understanding how caregiver input may complement assessment of community-dwelling older people, while the review’s findings describe reported practices rather than establishing their effectiveness in preventing falls.

What to keep in mind

The review synthesizes findings from 16 studies, and the abstract reports no pooled estimate of fall reduction or evidence that caregiver responses prevent falls.