Falls among the elderly: environmental limitations and functional losses

Abstract

Objective : To identify the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that predispose the elderly to falls and to discuss the consequences of these events in their lives. Method : A descriptive, exploratory study with a qualitative approach was carried out in a city in the southwest region of Bahia, Brazil. The target audience was composed of elderly people living in the area covered by the Family Health Strategy of this city. Data collection took place from April to June 2018 through a semi-structured, scripted interview. The content analysis technique proposed by Laurence Bardin was used to analyze and organize the information. Results : From the analysis of the interviews the main factors that predisposed the elderly to falls emerged, and these were methodologically divided into intrinsic and extrinsic. There were also post-fall events, such as the fear of falling again and the need to inhabit the same place where the fall occurred, as this is a domestic environment which, for social reasons, cannot be modified as recommended by preventive educational actions. Conclusion : The results show that falls among these elderly people occurred in the domestic environment due to structural (extrinsic) issues, and are less influenced by health problems (intrinsic). It can therefore be concluded that the need to inhabit the same place where the fall occurred, without it being modified, generates a fear of falling again, limiting independence and reducing functional capacity, and making effective intersectoral actions essential.

Specialized nursing terminology for the prevention of falls in the elderly in primary care

“…A prominence of the Location Axis was observed in non-constant terms, such as Restroom, Household, and Surface. The terms describing environments are essential for the prevention of falls, since in the context of PHC one must look carefully at the environmental risk factors contributing to the occurrence of these accidents, including the home environment (30) .…”

Diagnósticos De Enfermagem Relacionados Ao Psicossocial/Psicoespiritual De Idosos Hospitalizados

“…Destaca-se, no entanto, que a presença de suporte social vem sendo amplamente correlacionada à diminuição de eventos desfavoráveis na saúde do idoso, a exemplo de quedas, hospitalizações e morte 19 e, quanto a isso, estudo realizado com 128 idosos identificou que 67,2% dos investigados não possuíam rede de apoio, fato que implica a funcionalidade do idoso, além de afetar diretamente o declínio emocional, tornando-o propenso à depressão. 20 Identificaram-se, em continuidade, alguns idosos com Bom humor.…”

Pacientų Griuvimo Riziką Lemiantys Veiksniai

“…Senstant vyksta sensomotorinės ir vestibulinės sistemos pokyčiai, turintys didelę įtaką griuvimui [2]. Griuvimus patiria ne tik senyvo amžiaus žmonės, tačiau senyvo amžiaus žmonėms griuvimo pasekmės yra sunkesnės ir riboja jų mobilumą bei kasdienę veiklą [3]. Griuvimas labai prisideda prie senėjančios visuomenės mirtingumo, sergamumo ir išlaidų [4].…”