Pilot observational study of fall risk and risk factors in users of a geriatric day center

Identifier:  TFM:522

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFM522

Authors:  Malvesí González, Laura

Abstract:
Introduction One of the main causes of injury and disability in the elderly is falls, and to reduce its prevalence, it is necessary to know the causes and risk factors. Objective Assess the risk of falls and identify the associated risk factors in people over 65 years of age who use the “Marinada” day center in Roda de Berà and design a fall prevention program applied to the results. Material and methods Pilot cross-sectional observational study in users ≥65 years of the “Marinada” day center in Roda de Berà. The risk factors for falls were studied by dividing the population between presence of risk of falls and no presence. The comparison between groups was made using Chi2 and associations were analyzed using logistic regression. Results Of the 16 participants, a total of 68.8% (n= 11) had a previous fall, the mean ± SD of age was 85.1 ± 7.1 years. A high prevalence of fall risk factors was found at risk of falling and dependency (basic activities of daily life), with a total of 87.5% (n= 14) for both. No statistically significant associations were found between risk of falls and the variables studied, although the group with risk of falls had a higher percentage of previous falls (71.4% n= 10), polypharmacy (57.1% n= 8), need for ambulation (64.3% n = 9) and visual deficit (71.4% n= 10) than the group without risk. Conclusions A high prevalence of falls and a high presence of risk factors were observed in users ≥65 years of the “Marinada” day center, reflecting the profile of a frail elderly person. The variables previous fall, visual deficit, polypharmacy and the need for assistance in walking, show higher percentages in the population with a risk factor for falls. It is proposed to carry out an intervention designed from the results to reduce the risk of falls.