How to evaluate the risk of falls in institutionalized elderly people?

Abstract

Objective: to identify the instruments used to assess the risk of falls in institutionalized elderly people. Method: Integrative Literature Review, between April and July 2018. Following a pre-defined protocol, with predefined eligibility criteria for the 18 that composed the bibliographic sample. The aim was to answer the question “What are the assessment instruments used to determine the risk of falls in institutionalized elderly people?” Results: the studies use different instruments, isolated or in combination, to determine the risk of falling. Specific scales were to evaluate risk were identified (Easy-Care risk of the Falls, St. Thomas Risk Assessment Tool, Downton Scale, among others), as were scales to assess functional and mental state. Conclusion: the most used instruments for assessing the risk of falling in institutionalized elders are the Timed Up and Go Test and the Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment, in association with the question “Did you fall in the last 12 months?”