Incidence of falls in the elderly population

Abstract

Introduction. Falls and fall-related injuries are common in the geriatric population and may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine differences in the incidence of falls and risk factors for falls between the community-dwelling and institutionalized elderly people. Material and Methods. The cross sectional study was conducted in the period from May 1, 2015 to December 1, 2015, including 300 community-dwelling elderly people and 110 nursing home residents. The research instruments were a sociodemographic questionnaire, Mini nutritional assessment, Katz index, and Lawton scale. Results. During the previous 12 months, at least one fall was reported in 17.1% of the total number of respondents. The incidence of falls was higher among nursing home residents (c 2 = 13.550; p = 0.001). The risk factors for falls were multifactorial. Community-dwelling elderly suffered from urinary incontinence more frequently compared to nursing home residents (p = 0.004), but a significantly worse nutritional status was found in community-dwelling elderly people (p < 0.001). Assistance in basic activities of daily living was required by 3.9% of nursing home residents, and 8.3% of community-dwelling elderly people (p < 0.001). Statistically significant difference was not found in the performance of instrumental activities of daily living (p < 0.145). Conclusion. The incidence of falls was higher in nursing home residents. Risk factors for falls in both examined groups were visual and hearing impairments, urinary incontinence, use of 3 medications per day, damaged functional status, and malnutrition. Prevention of falls requires modification of environmental hazards, reduction of risk factors, their evaluation and strategy implementation.

Correlation of cardiovascular and respiratory comorbidities with motor functional independence in the elderly after hip fracture

“…Differences in the distribution of comorbidity severity levels of evaluated parameters suggest that every patient should be assessed individually, along with an individually planned rehabilitation program and continuous monitoring in order to achieve the best treatment outcome. It should be kept in mind that part of treatment in the elderly after hip fracture is oriented to fall prevention [9]. Previous studies have reported that cardiovascular diseases may be associated with increased risk of non-spine fractures through the mechanisms that can lead to the reduction in hip bone mass or bone mineral density (BMD) [10,11].…”

The marginalization of the elderly in Serbia

“…24). Велики број пензионера није у могућности да узме кредит у некој од банака које послују у Србији, јер банке најчешће захтевају да износ пензије буде најмање 20.000 динара месечно, како би пензионер остварио право на кредит (Moravčević, 2018) Иако пензионери могу бити радно ангажовани и после пензионисања (Petrović Stojanović, 2019), што би им донело додатна примања, главни проблем представљају предрасуде и стереотипи о старијим људима као болесним, спорим и недовољно образованим и информисаним особама, услед чега послодавци углавном не желе да их радно ангажују. Међутим, "старија лица стекла су знатно искуство у току живота.…”

“…A large number of pensioners are unable to take out a loan from one of the banks operating in Serbia, as banks most oft en require a pension amount of at least 20,000 dinars a month in order for a pensioner to be eligible for a loan (Moravčević, 2018). Although retirees may be employed aft er retirement (Petrović Stojanović, 2019), which would bring them additional benefi ts, the main problem are prejudices and stereotypes about the elderly as sick, slow and poorly educated and informed persons, which is why employers generally do not want to hire them. However, "the elderly have gained considerable experience in life.…”