Prevalence of falls and evaluation of mobility among institutionalized elderly persons

Abstract Objective: The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of falls among institutionalized elderly persons and identify associated factors. Method: A cross-sectional study of elderly residents of Care Facilities For the Elderly in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, was carried out. The elderly persons could walk independently and did not have severe cognitive impairment. Data was obtained about the institution and socio-demographic and health information was collected. A physical examination was performed to evaluate frailty, mobility and balance (Timed up and go, Berg Balance Scale, Gait speed and Sitting-rising Test - SRT). Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-squared Test for a 5% significance level. Results: Sixty-three elderly persons were within the search criteria. Of these 22.2% had fallen in the past year. Only the SRT was associated with these falls. Conclusion: It was concluded that the studied population has a low prevalence of falls, and the ability to perform less than 5 repetitions in the SRT was associated with episodes of falling.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Ferreira,Lidiane Maria de Brito Macedo, Jerez-Roig,Javier, Andrade,Fabienne Louise Juvêncio Paes de, Oliveira,Nayara Priscila Dantas de, Araújo,José Rodolfo Torres de, Lima,Kenio Costa de
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Universidade do Estado do Rio Janeiro 2016
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1809-98232016000600995
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!