Identification of Risk Factors Related To Falls of Elderly People Inserted Within The Family Health Program

• Autor(a) principal: Yamazaki, Ana Lúcia de Sá
• Data de Publicação: 2013
• Outros Autores: Ferreira, Elenice Gomes
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Saúde e Pesquisa (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.unicesumar.edu.br/index.php/saudpesq/article/view/2587
• topic: Accidents; Elderly People; Risk Factors; Acidentes; Idosos; Fatores de Risco; .

Falls by elderly people are considered a public health issue due to their frequency. At least one third of elderly people over 65 years old fall once a year, while half of them fall more than once. Besides the injuries from falls, mortality among the elderly due to falls is relatively common and the home layout may increase the risk. In fact, the latter should be one of the items in the evaluation of the elderly person. Current analysis identifies the risk factors of falls occurring within the home milieu and enhances health education to the elderly within the Family Health Strategy to prevent and reduce its prevalence. Night urination and poor eyesight were referred to as intrinsic factors respectively by 62 and 42 out of 83 interviewed elderly people. Within the context of environmental factors, a smooth floor in 66% of homes under analysis was the main cause whereas slopes without any rails, steps, carpets and pets at home revealed only a slight frequency rate when analyzed individually. Further, 26% of the elderly used walking aids and slightly more than 50% (n=48) used flip-flops. Data showed determinant and predisposing conditions to falls in each home and revealed the need for health promotion strategies. All the elderly received a leaflet prepared by the State Secretary of Health of the state of Paraná, Brazil, on the risk factors of falls and the manner they could be avoided.