Preventing falls at home among people with intellectual disabilities: A scoping review

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundFalls are common among people with intellectual disabilities. Many falls happen within the home. Our scoping review aimed to identify evidence for falls‐risk factors and falls‐prevention interventions for this population.MethodWe conducted a multi‐database search to identify any type of published study that explored falls‐risk factors or falls‐prevention interventions for people with intellectual disabilities. Following a process of (i) title & abstract and (ii) full‐text screening, data was extracted from the included studies and described narratively.ResultsForty‐one studies were included. Risks are multifactorial. There was limited evidence of medical, behavioural/psychological, or environmental interventions to address modifiable risk factors, and no evidence of the interventions' cost‐effectiveness.ConclusionsClinically and cost effective, acceptable and accessible falls‐prevention pathways should be available for people with intellectual disabilities who are at risk of falls from an earlier age than the general population.