Beyond physical hazards: a qualitative exploration of multidimensional fall risk among community-dwelling older adults

While physical and environmental determinants have been extensively studied, less is known about falls from the perspective of older adults. This study explored how older adults explain the interplay of psychological, social, and physical factors contributing to falls within their home environments, particularly in non‑Western and Iranian cultural contexts. This qualitative study employed the content analysis to explore perceived causes of falls among 15 community-dwelling older adults in Tabriz, Iran. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews and analyzed inductively following Graneheim and Lundman’s approach. Thematic analysis outlined four domains influencing older adults’ experiences of falls occurring within the home environment: perceived isolation, experienced lack of concentration (feeling confused), feeling unsafe in the home environment, and experienced physical deterioration. The findings reveal that the risk of falls extends beyond solely physical and environmental conditions, that is, the occurrence of falls is not only related to physical vulnerability, but is also perceived by older adults as being deeply rooted in their psychosocial lived experiences.