Aim:

Falls are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of falls in institutionalized elderly during 2014 and to know the characteristics of falls, factors associated with them and their consequences.

Methodology:

A crosssectional descriptive study. The measurement instruments used were the questionnaire Falls of WHO, the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Barthel index, the Norton scale and Tinetti scale. Anthropometric variables were age, sex, height and body mass index, and the clinical and functional variables: mobility, difficulty in stocks, technical assistance with ambulation, diseases, drugs, medication, etc.

Results:

100 institutionalized residents who formed the population suffered falls by 32%. Loss of balance was the main cause. The most indicative associated factors were previous falls, gait disorders, cognitive impairment, polypharmacy and urinary incontinence. Suffering cuts and bruises 50% of those who fell.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of falls in the social services system is high. Association between the risk factors associated with falls and the risk of pressure ulcers as Norton scale was found. Planning future studies with individual monitoring of residents would know its evolution, characteristics and types.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )