Table 2.

Summary of research recommendations for defining types of falls and fallers irrespective of setting.

Faller type	Definition	Guidance
Non-faller	No falls	Measured over a 12-month prospective period
Faller	All reasons for falls – an unexpected event in which an individual comes to rest on the ground, floor, or lower level	Justify rationale for use of definition (all/syncopal/non-syncopal fall)
	Non-syncopal - unintentionally coming to the ground or some lower level and other than as a consequence of sustaining a violent blow, loss of consciousness, sudden onset of paralysis as in stroke or an epileptic seizure	Measured over a 12-month prospective period
	Syncopal falls - an unexpected event in which an individual comes to rest on the ground, floor, or lower level due to a loss of consciousness	Measured over a 12-month prospective period
Single faller	Falling once	Dependent on definition (all/syncopal/non-syncopal fall) Measured over a 12-month prospective period
Recurrent faller	Falling two or more times	Dependent on definition (all/syncopal/non-syncopal fall) Measured over a 12-month prospective period
Injurious faller	Falls as injury resulting in medical attention including a hospitalization, fracture, joint dislocation, head injury, sprain or strain, bruising, swelling, laceration, or other serious injuries	Classified according to Abbreviated Injury Scale Consider psychological harm Measured over a 12-month prospective period
Near faller	A loss of balance that would result in a fall if sufficient balance recovery manoeuvres are not executed	Not reliant on the help of another person Measured over a 12-month prospective period