Objective:

To analyze the demographic and clinical factors related to falls of older adults living at home in a five-year follow-up

Materials and methods:

Retrospective quantitative and longitudinal study conducted between 2007/2008 and 2013 with 262 Brazilians participants over 65 years old. We used the demographic profile, Mini-Mental State Examination, self-reported diseases, falls and their characteristics, Edmonton Frail Scale, Lawton and Brody Scale, Functional Independence Measure instruments. We performed descriptive analysis, Chi-squared, Wilcoxon test and mixed model test.

Results:

Most participants were women, aged between 65 to 79 years, schooling between 1 to 4 years and retired. The prevalence of falls was 21.8% and 37.8% in both evaluations. We verified that the chance of suffering a new fall increases for each additional disease of the older adult. In addition, for each point to more on the frail scale, the older adult has a greater chance of falling. On the other hand, for each medication withdrawn, the chance of falling decreases 10%.

Conclusion:

The fall was associated with clinical factors in older adults, therefore constant evaluations must be carried out to identify this event and its triggers.

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