Cognitive functioning, subjective memory complaints and risky behaviour predict minor home injuries in elderly

Introduction Home accidents are one of the major causes of death, particularly in older people, young children and women. Aims The first aim of this study was to explore the role of subjective memory complaints, cognitive functioning and risky behaviour as predictors of home injuries occurred in a year in a sample of healthy Italian older adults. The second aim was to investigate the role of risky behaviour as a mediator in the relationship between subjective and objective cognitive functioning and home injuries. Methods One hundred thirty-three community-dwelling older people from southern Italy were administered a battery of tests to evaluate cognitive functioning, subjective memory complaints, and risky behaviour during home activities. Risky behaviour was evaluated using the Domestic Behaviour Questionnaire, created specifically for this purpose. The number of home injuries was recorded for a year throughout monthly telephone interviews. A path analysis was performed to test the following model: cognitive functioning and subjective memory complaints directly influence risky behaviour and number of accidents over a year; risky behaviour mediates the impact of cognitive functioning and subjective memory on number of accidents over a year. Results Path analysis confirmed the model tested except the role of risky behaviour as a mediator between cognitive functioning and home accidents. Discussion Risky behaviour could represent a further risk factor in cognitively intact older adults with subjective memory complaints. Conclusions The assessment of both cognition and behaviour in elderly can make a valuable contribution in preventing home accidents in elderly.