Factors related to falls of elderly women residents in a community

Abstract

Objective. Verify the factors related to falls of a group of independent and autonomous elderly women. Methods. A descriptive study was conducted with 83 elderly women that participate in the Elderly Health Promotion Project of the Universidade Católica de Brasília. They replied to questions related to their age, social demographic factors, dizziness, use of continuous medication, self-perception of health and vision and were submitted to the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale, Functional Reach Test and Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment. Results. No statistical relation was identified between age, social demographic factors, dizziness, and negative self-perception of health and vision with fall phenomena. Although there is a significant statistical relation to the Functional Reach Test and Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment. Conclusion. Body balance condition of the elderly women was the major factor related to fall occurrences. Functional Reach Test and Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment were considered efficient to predict the risk of falling, indicating that they may be used for the assessment and identification of an improved body balance after training.