Accidental falls in the elderly are a major health problem, despite extensive research on risk factors and prevention. Only a limited number of multifactorial, long-term prospective studies have been performed on risk factors for falls in the general elderly population. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors predicting falls in a general elderly population after three and six years, using a prospective design.

Earlier reports on reduced physical performance and osteoporosis-related fractures have mostly been short-term studies. The aim of this investigation was to examine the effects of fractures on physical functioning 3 years after trauma, the latter being stratified for pain. The study consisted of a population-based case-control study including 289 subjects from the "Good Ageing in Skåne" project. Men and women with fractures, aged 60-93 years, were divided into one group with pain (FP, n = 71) and one without pain (FnP, n = 53). Fractures included vertebrae, hip, pelvis or ankle according to the national medical register. A third group of subjects without fractures or pain (CnP, n = 165) was used as control. Pain during the previous month, health variables, lifestyle, medication, use of a walking aid, and sociodemographic variables were self-reported. Walking 15 m, 2 x 15 m, and timed get-up-and-go (TUG)--all at self-selected and maximum speed--and maximum handgrip strength were assessed objectively. Among the FP patients, almost half of the group suffered pain on a daily basis. The subjects in the CnP and FnP groups performed significantly better than the FP patient group in all functional tests. Median time for walking a distance of 15 m at self-selected speed was 16, 13 and 12 sec for the CnP, FnP and FP groups, respectively. Both fracture and pain independently explained lower walking speed (self-selected and maximum) as well as TUG, adjusted for age, sex and co-morbidity in a multiple regression model. Those who had sustained fractures more than 3 years previously performed significantly better in walking 15 m and 2 x 15 m at both self-elected and maximum speed than those with a more recent fracture, irrespective of pain. After 3 years, patients who had sustained a fracture but who experienced no pain performed almost as well as control subjects. Pain and fracture were independently influenced by physical function.

Objectives: To investigate the relationships between physical performance, quality of life (QoL), and social participation among elderly men and women with a history of osteoporosis-related fractures. Method: The study was a population-based cross-sectional study including 155 participants aged 60 to 93 years from the Swedish longitudinal investigation, “Good Aging in Skåne.” The participants had suffered fracture of the vertebrae, hip, pelvis, or ankle. Physical performance was expressed as walking speed (WS) and timed get-up-and-go (TUG). QoL was measured as using the Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and Life Satisfaction (LS) scales. Social participation was defined as taking part in social, cultural, and leisure activities. Results: Lower WS and/or TUG were associated with lower HRQoL, lower LS, and a reduction in social participation, after adjustment for confounding factors. Discussion: Measurements of WS and TUG could be used to determine QoL and social participation in elderly people having sustained fractures.

A majority of us will at some point in our lives take care of family members, relatives and friends in need of assistance. How will this affect us? Strain related to life satisfaction (LS) and health related quality of life (HRQoL) among caregivers aged 60 years and older has not been previously studied. The main objective was to describe characteristics of non-caregivers (n=2233) and caregivers (n=369). Further objectives were to examine differences in HRQoL and LS between caregivers and non-caregivers, and between caregivers stratified by level of strain. We analyzed the differences in socio-demographics, social participation, locus of control and symptoms between groups. HRQoL was assessed by Short Form Health Survey (SF-12/PCS and MCS). LS was measured by the Life Satisfaction Index-A (LSI-A). Caregivers were younger, had more years of formal education, more often cohabiting and relied less on powerful others than non-caregivers. One hundred and thirty-three (36%) caregivers reported high strain. In a three-group comparison including non-caregivers and caregivers stratified for strain, high strain was associated with lower SF12-PCS, SF12-MCS and LSI-A (0.014, <0.001 and <0.001, respectively). High strain affects caregivers' HRQoL and LS in a negative way. It is important for the health care sector to consider the possibility that symptoms in a person acting as a caregiver can be related to high perceived strain. A general policy program aiming to identify caregivers and their needs for support is much needed.

Background: The understanding of the complex relationship between the home environment, well-being and daily functioning in the third age is currently weak. The aim of this paper is to present the methodological background of the Home and Health in the Third Age Study, and describe a sample of men and women in relation to their home and health situation. Methods and Design: The study sample included 371 people aged 67–70, living in ordinary housing in the south of Sweden. Structured interviews and observations were conducted to collect data about objective and perceived aspects of home and health. Results: The majority of the participants were in good health and had few functional limitations. Women had more functional limitations and reported more symptoms than men. Environmental barriers were found in every home investigated; the most were found in the kitchen and hygiene area. Environmental barriers were more common in multi-family than in one-family dwellings. Discussion: This study will increase our knowledge on home and health dynamics among people in the third age. The results have potential to contribute to societal planning related to housing provision, home care and social services for senior citizens.