Evaluation of the risk of falls in the elderly

Abstract

Falls became an important factor for the dependence of the elderly, because they are related to a high rate of incapacity and mortality. The objective was to evaluate the risk factors of falls in a group of elderly according to the Nursing diagnose "Risk of falls" by NANDA (version 2001/2002) and determine the rate of falls that increased according to the “Downton’s risk of falls Scale”. Descriptive study conducted with 24 elderly, from January to July, at a health center in Fortaleza/CE. The factors were distributed in: biggest frequency; less frequency and categories non-quoted. Risk factors most often cited: falls (87.5%); 65 years old or more (70.8%); visual difficulties (95.8%); medications (75%); not familiar room (62.5%) and absence of antiskid (95.8%). The elderly process causes many changes in the human organism, such as suffering in the daily of elderly, because they need help to do their activities. The falls in this aged group can be considered as significant factors of alert in order to prevent physical and emotional sequels resulting from these events.