A participação em atividades de vida diária de idosos com medo de cair residentes na área de abrangência de uma unidade básica de saúde de Belo Horizonte

Abstract

Fear of falling is common among the elderly over 60 years, living in the community with a prevalence from 21 to 85%, being significantly higher in women. In Brazil, the fear of falling is referred to as the second consequence of falls. This is also descried as an ongoing concern about falling that ultimately limits the performance of daily activities and subsequet losses i physical capabilities and thus increases the risk of falls. Moreover, there is evidence that people have a fear of falling will not necessarily prevent their activities. The aim of this study was to measure whether the fear of falling and its intensity in the elderly living in area of a Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS) in the city of Belo Horizonte can interfere with the performance of daily activities. We conducted a cross-sectional study, whose sample corresponded to the elderly population (above 60 years) living in area of a UBS of Belo Horizonte. These seniors were divided into two groups G1 (fear of falling) and G2 (without fear of falling). Were excluded from the study showed that elderly bedridden or health conditions unstable or severe sequelae such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, arthritis or rheumatism, and cognitive impairment. For this study, we used Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Activities of Daily Living, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (Lawton), the Basic Activities of Daily Living (Katz), the Rating Scale and the Fear of Falling Test Time Up and Go were also analyzed demographic information and history of falls in the last 12 months. The G1 group was attended by 56 elderly, mean age 72.1 years and mostly female. The G2 group had 54 elderly patients with a mean age of 70.7 years and most were male. The share of elderly who have suffered falls and fractures was similar in both groups, as well as the risk of falls. In both groups the majority of participants were independent in basic activities, advanced instruments and everyday life. It was observed that most individuals who have a fear of falling are female, elderly in different age groups have a fear of falling, as well as individuals with no history of falls and had a fear of falling. There was a high prevalence of risk of falls in older people with and without fear of falling. We observed a high sense of self-efficacy or confidence in avoiding falls in almost half of elderly people at risk of falling. The elderly with fear of falling, even characterizing their fear as a moderate, had the same level of participation in activities of daily living that subjects without fear of falling.