The incidence of falls in institutionalized elderly

Introduction: The characteristics of the institutionalized elderly, as age and physical disability, increase significantly the probability of falling, as well as their severity when they occur. For this reason, it is crucial to understand and study the occurrence of this phenomenon in elderly. Objective: To determine the incidence of the phenomenon falls in institutionalized elderly and the prevalence of the risk of falling, by applying an assessment instrument. This study was developed in two nursing homes in Oporto, being organized in two stages: first, we identified the incidence of the phenomenon of falls, by a retrospective analysis to institutional records for the period of one year, in one of those nursing homes. Second, we applied the instrument of risk assessment of falls - Hendrich II Fall Risk Model (HIIFRM). Results: it was reported that 46% of the elderly have fallen in the last year (from September 2011 to 2012); an average there was more than two falls in the elderly (X=2.2; ±1.8), and the fall was at least one and a maximum of 9. By applying the HIIFRM to 111 elderly, 47% are at high risk of falling. We analyzed the most significant risk factor is the administration of benzodiazepines, that is present in 41%. Conclusions: According to this, it appears that the incidence of this phenomenon, in the sample, is competing with international data. However, these figures are nonetheless worrisome, given the impact that falls represent the quality of life of elderly.