SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online

 
 issueESP9Influence of sociodemographic and family characteristics on adherence to treatment of hypertensive individuals in the communityInfluence of physical exercise on sleep in higher education students author indexsubject indexarticles search
Home Pagealphabetic serial listing  

Services on Demand

Journal

Article

Indicators

Related links

  • Have no similar articlesSimilars in SciELO

Share


Millenium - Journal of Education, Technologies, and Health

Print version ISSN 0873-3015On-line version ISSN 1647-662X

Abstract

NIZA, Cristina et al. Risk of fall at home in elderly registered in day centers. Mill [online]. 2021, n.esp9, pp.207-216.  Epub Dec 07, 2021. ISSN 0873-3015.  https://doi.org/10.29352/mill029e.25495.

Introduction:

Falls at home in the elderly represent a serious public health problem, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Objectives: To assess the risk of falls at home among elderly people enrolled in Day Centers; identify sociodemographic, clinical and housing variables related to the risk of falling at home.

Methods:

Cross-sectional analytical study. Data collection was carried out using an anonymous form, consisting of sociodemographic, clinical and fall-related variables and the Home Fall Risk Assessment Scale.

Results:

The sample consisted of 54 elderly people, mostly female (n=28; 51.9%), with a mean age of 80.81±7.9 years. About a fifth of the sample (n=12; 22.2%) reported that they had already had a fall, 83.3% (n=10) mentioned that it had occurred in the last 12 months. The greatest number of falls occurred in the bedroom and on the street. The main reasons for falls were dizziness/imbalance/stroke (n=6; 50.0%) and tripping (n=4; 33.3%). Only hearing alterations and age >80 years were associated with the risk of falling in the backyard (OR=2.86; 95%CI 1.08-7.57; OR=1.84; 95%CI 1.02-3.31, respectively). Age was also associated with the risk of falling into restrooms. The bedroom (n=24; 44.4%) and the backyard (n=11; 37.9%) are the areas of the house with the highest risk of falling.

Conclusion:

The results showed that about a fifth of the population had already had a fall episode. Hearing changes and age >80 years are associated with the risk of falling in the backyard. It was concluded that the prevention of falls in the elderly should be a priority for health planning, aiming at empowering the elderly and caregivers for the harmful consequences that a fall can cause.

Keywords : elderly; fall; prevention; community health nursing.

        · abstract in Portuguese | Spanish     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )