Risk Factors and Falls in the Elderly

Abstract

The article presents the results of an investigation regarding the association of falls with different variables that significantly determine falls in the elderly. The risk factors associated with a fall in the elderly are multiple and generally there are more than one. These factors have to do with the state of health, functionality and environmental conditions, as well as the interaction between the different factors, particularly; hypertension, trauma, age, and use of the cane, risks that are consummated categorically condition the autonomy and independence of the elderly in the functional operation of the basic and instrumental activities of daily life, reducing their quality of life and consequently a healthy and successful aging. This is a cross-sectional study in the open population, in which 60-year-old adults were included. With prior consent, an interview was conducted to investigate socio-demographic data and medical history, and instruments were applied to measure risk factors, scale of predictive factors of falls, and dependence (KATZ). In the results obtained, it was found as the most frequent predisposing factors; advanced age, diabetes, hypertension, or having any disease, as well as difficulty in caring, use supportive devices to move around, and poly-pharmacy.