Intrinsic factors for the risk of fall of the elderly at home: a descriptive study

Abstract

Goal: to associate the intrinsic factors for risk of fall with the occurrence of falls in the home environment in elderly people with chronic diseases. Method: a descriptive study with a quantitative approach, conducted between June and July 2015 with 36 octogenarian elderly, participants of a multidisciplinary chronic disease monitoring program in the state of Rio de Janeiro. We applied the Downton Scale for data collection. Results: all the elderly underwent the Mini Mental State Examination and presented a 27 point average score; 86.1% presented high intrinsic risk for falls, although sensorial handicap (P = 0.09), previous falls (p = 0.35), drug use (p = 1) and ambulation (p = 1) did not present any significant association with the occurrence of the fall during the six months of follow-up. Conclusion: There was a high intrinsic risk of falling in the elderly population studied. Among the most prevalent factors were the previous falls and use of medications, especially hypotensive drugs.