A abordagem das quedas em idosos na Atenção Primária à Saúde

Abstract

Aging is an irreversible process, universal, non-pathological, but that the body undergoes physical and psychological changes, which added to extrinsic environmental factors, constitute causes of falls in the elderly. Falls are injuries that cause drastic consequences to the quality of life of the elderly, the health system, family members and caregivers. Given the aging population recorded in Brazil, this event becomes a major problem for public health. It is known that one-third of the elderly suffer at least one fall per year. The objective was to review the literature on the subject falls in the elderly, its causes and consequences, and thus analyze the topic and outline preventive measures for the disease. This is a narrative review of the literature with the aim of lifting studies, through research articles, journals, books and electronic database: SciELO and LILACS on the subject in question. The results showed that the demands on the health service has increased, and among the factors that aggravate the health status of the elderly are falls that bring devastating consequences, damage to psychological, physical, economic and social for the elderly, their families and the society. There are 2 risk factors for falls: the intrinsic (related pathologies, own physical and psychological changes of aging, medications) and extrinsic factors that are related to the environment. Therefore, considering the increased prevalence of falls among the elderly and the growth of the elderly population in Brazil is important to prevent falls through actions promoted by the Family Health Team (FHT), the dissemination of knowledge and awareness of carers and family that the best solution to the problem of falls and prevention.