Prevalence of Environmental Factors Related to Falls in Elderly Living in Community-Dwelling

• Published in: Revista brasileira de fisioterapia (São Carlos (São Paulo, Brazil)) Vol. 8; no. 2; pp. 149 - 154
• Main Authors: Ferrer, MLP, Perracini, M R, Ramos, L R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: 01.08.2004
• ISSN: 1413-3555

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of environmental fall hazards among the elderly living in community-dwelling as well as its relationship to nonfallers and fallers. A cross-section survey was made with 87 people aged 65 and living in community-dwelling and participants of a cohort prospective study. A standardized environmental evaluation was held in the homes of 53 elderly fallers and 34 elderly nonfallers. Environmental hazards have presented a high prevalence in these elderly's homes: slippery floors (88.5%), throw rugs in living rooms (62%), low or high cabinets in kitchens (87.5%) and absence of nightlight (44.8%). There were no hazard-free homes and the presence of 22 hazards/home on average were found, from 47 evaluated. There was association between environmental hazards and elderly falls only to the poorly placed light-switch in all rooms. Rugs in the bathroom, presence of hazardous stairs and standing on a stool to reach any of the storage areas proved to be more dangerous for those elderly who have never fallen down. Homes for old people present a lot of environmental hazards. It was not found an important relation between the presence of hazards and elderly fallers. Old people who have never fallen down seem to have a careless attitude towards the environmental hazards.