Functionality and risk of falls of elderly participants of a companionship group of Flores da Cunha, RS

• Autor(a) principal: Fiorio, Gabriela Oliboni
• Data de Publicação: 2018
• Outros Autores: Meneghini, Gisele Oltramari
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: PAJAR - Pan American Journal of Aging Research
• Texto Completo: https://revistaseletronicas.pucrs.br/ojs/index.php/pajar/article/view/31375
• topic: elderly; disability and health; accidents by falls.; idoso; incapacidade e saúde; acidentes por quedas.

Introduction: The natural aging process generates several physical, psychological and social consequences, which can affect the functionality and increase the incidence of falls. These have several impacts on the life of an elderly person, such as functional deterioration, hospitalization and institutionalization.Objective: To evaluate the functionality and risk of falls of elderly participants in a companionship group. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, in which the participants were elderly belonging to a companionship group from Flores da Cunha, RS. Data collection was done through the application of four evaluation instruments, including an initial evaluation card, Lawton Scale, Previous Functional Reach Test (TA F) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG).Results: Even though the elderly were active, most interviewees said they did not perform physical activity. 86.8% of the studied sample was independent to perform instrumental activities of daily living, according to the Lawton Scale score. On the Functional Reach Test (TA F) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), 99.1% of the study participants moved within the normal limit of previous stability and presented a low risk for falls.Conclusion: When correlated with each other, the Lawton Scale, TA F, TUG and age, it is shown that the advancement of age, functional capacity, balance, mobility and risk of falls are directly associated with others. Therefore, it is concluded that the majority of the elderly participants of companionship group present good performance in the functional tests.