Queda no idoso: uma abordagem multicausal

Abstract

The increasing proportion of elderly is a global phenomenon, with the exception of some African countries, the world is in some stage of this process. Aging may lead to problems such as gradual decrease muscle strength, balance and coordination in general that result in falls. This study was conducted in order to identify literature related factors to the falls in the elderly population. For this we used a bibliographical data base of LILACS, SCIELO and MEDLINE, searching for works published in the period from 2000 to 2012. Among the factors related to the risk of falling are increasing age, female dominance, the white and yellow races that are more prone to fractures, presence of syncope, multiple pathologies, indiscriminate and excessive medication. The height of the falls are the most prevalent at the hidden risks in their daily household activities, being the lack of installation of protective artifacts on ladders such as handrails, grab bars and non-slippery surfaces in the bathroom, in addition to inadequate lighting and grab bars in the other environments are also part of the profile. For its prevention is fundamental to assessing interdisciplinary team regarding aspects of senescence and senility and the physical and psychosocial environment, to develop proposals for intervention to improve the living conditions of the elderly. It is essential, therefore, the effective participation of the family in order to handle situations with elderly patients, especially with regard to the safety of this.