Falls among the aged in two emergency care units in Rio Grande do Sul

Authors

  • Clariana Vitória Ramos
  • Silvana Sidney Costa Santos Federal University of Rio Grande image/svg+xml
  • Edison Luiz Devos Barlem Federal University of Rio Grande image/svg+xml
  • Marlene Teda Pelzer Federal University of Rio Grande image/svg+xml

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5216/ree.v13i4.10856

Keywords:

Aged, Accidental Falls, Emergency Service Hospital, Nursing.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the main factors causing falls among the aged in two emergency care units in Rio Grande do Sul. Quantitative research, survey study, descriptive, with 39 aged, which was applied to verify profile interview, questions related to health, housing conditions related to the fall experienced in the period December 2009 to April 2010. Used the SPSS software to perform descriptive analysis. It was found that 22 (56.4%) were women, 19 (48.7%) were between 70-79 years, 27 (69.2) fell in the last 12 months, 15 (38.5% ) fell more than 2 times last year. As the homes of aged: 37 (94.9%) furniture are sharp, 35 (89.7%) had degrees, 27 (69.2%) had loose rugs, 20 (51.3%) were slippery, 12 (30.8%) had stairs without handrails. It is hoped to raise awareness among professionals in the health/population to the threat of falls in older adults.

Descriptors: Aged; Accidental Falls; Emergency Service Hospital; Nursing.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

  • Clariana Vitória Ramos
    Enfermeira. Rio Grande, RS, Brasil. E-mail: claryvitoria@hotmail.com.
  • Silvana Sidney Costa Santos, Federal University of Rio Grande
    Enfermeira, Doutora em Enfermagem. Professor Adjunto III, Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG). Rio Grande, RS, Brasil. E-mail: silvanasidney@terra.com.br.
  • Edison Luiz Devos Barlem, Federal University of Rio Grande
    Enfermeiro, Mestre em Enfermagem. Discente do Programa de Pós-Graduação Enfermagem, nível Doutorado, FURG. Professor Assistente, Escola de Enfermagem, FURG. Rio Grande, RS, Brasil. E-mail: ebarlem@gmail.com.
  • Marlene Teda Pelzer, Federal University of Rio Grande
    Enfermeira, Doutora em Enfermagem. Professor Associado, Escola de Enfermagem, FURG. Rio Grande, RS, Brasil. E-mail: pmarleneteda@yahoo.com.br.

Downloads

Published

2011-12-31

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 4 (2011)

Section

Original Article