Trauma in the elderly caused by traffic accident: integrative review

Abstract

Objective:To describe the scientific knowledge produced about trauma in the elderly caused by traffic accidents in healthcare area studies. Methods: Integrative review of studies from 2003 to 2013 searched in LILACS, SciELO, PubMed and CINHAL databases. We used combination of the descriptors injuries, wounds and accidents, in English, Portuguese and Spanish languages. Results: 32 studies were selected. In the thematic analysis, three categories emerged: epidemiological data from traffic accidents involving elderly; traffic accidents with elderly pedestrians; and trauma care in the elderly. We observed increased incidence of trauma in most countries and pedestrians represented a large part of the victims. Among these, the elderly are the most vulnerable group. Conclusion: Studies showed that trauma care in the elderly need protocols and professionals with training in gerontology specialized in trauma care services.

Programa de orientação com ênfase em práticas de autocuidado para motoristas idosos

“…Another study agreed with this finding, describing how active drivers, when compared to those who stopped driving, had more social roles, performed more volunteer work, played more active roles as family members, spent more time on social leisure activities and less time on solitary leisure activities. 4 The program participants added that the act of driving also facilitates everyday life in other ways, making it easier to get around, and reduces the time necessary for activities in addition to providing pleasure, comfort, freedom and independence. By generating these benefits, the act of driving contributes to satisfaction of life.…”

“…5 As pointed out by the elderly persons in the present study, strategies for pedestrians should be encouraged due to this group being the greatest victims of traffic accidents involving the elderly. 4 Factors such as the impatience of motorists; especially when pedestrians need to cross the street, obstacles on sidewalks, bad conditions of sidewalks and narrow sidewalks, hinder the mobility of elderly pedestrians in urban areas. 25 Although the present intervention, aimed at elderly drivers, can contribute to preventing and reducing injuries and deaths from accidents involving the elderly, 4 its scope is limited as problems experienced by elderly drivers should be dealt with from a perspective that relates personal and environmental factors in a wider manner.…”

“…4 Factors such as the impatience of motorists; especially when pedestrians need to cross the street, obstacles on sidewalks, bad conditions of sidewalks and narrow sidewalks, hinder the mobility of elderly pedestrians in urban areas. 25 Although the present intervention, aimed at elderly drivers, can contribute to preventing and reducing injuries and deaths from accidents involving the elderly, 4 its scope is limited as problems experienced by elderly drivers should be dealt with from a perspective that relates personal and environmental factors in a wider manner. 12 Therefore, to increase the importance of the environment in future interventions, partnerships with official traffic institutions should be developed, including, in addition to the elderly drivers themselves, professionals in the areas of health, automotive engineering, public transport and the articulators of public policies.…”

“…This arises from the frailty associated with aging and the fact that accidents cause more serious injuries among elderly persons, such as chest trauma and traumatic brain injury, which are associated with increased mortality and increased time spent in the intensive care units. 4 Injuries to extremities are also prevalent among elderly persons who suffer traffic accidents and often lead to immobilization and decreased functional independence. 4 Elderly men aged between 60 and 69 and with a low level of education represent the most prevalent profile of elderly victims of traffic accidents in urgency and emergency units.…”

“…4 Injuries to extremities are also prevalent among elderly persons who suffer traffic accidents and often lead to immobilization and decreased functional independence. 4 Elderly men aged between 60 and 69 and with a low level of education represent the most prevalent profile of elderly victims of traffic accidents in urgency and emergency units. The majority of such victims are pedestrians, followed by drivers of automobiles and motorbikes.…”