Perception of the elderly about extrinsic risk factors that predispose to falls in the home environment

PERCEPTIONS OF ELDERLY WOMEN ABOUT RISK FACTORS THAT PREDISPOSE TO FALLS IN THE HOME ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the perception of the elderly about extrinsic risk factors that predispose to falls in the home environment. Methods: this is a descriptive, exploratory study, with a qualitative approach, in which 10 elderly women participated who develop voluntary activities in the archdiocese of Recife and Olinda through health ministry in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Data were obtained through interviews, which were processed by the IRAMUTEQ software using the Descending Hierarchical Classification technique. Results: Five classes emerged in the study: deficit of physical activities due to fear of falling; comfortable bathroom with potential risk in the home environment, occurrence of falls in recent years; facing the obstacles inherent to the occurrence of falls; and adjustments at home as a preventive measure for falls. Conclusion: Finally, knowing the extrinsic risk factors that predispose to falls in the elderly is significantly positive. Because, it allows preventive actions and readjustment at home in order to reduce avoidable risks.