Prevalence and risk of falls in sedentary or physically active institutionalized elderly

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze and characterize the occurrence of falls in older people living in four different institutions in Goiânia, namely: Complexo Gerontológico Sagrada Família, Abrigo São Vicente de Paula, Asilo Solar Colombino and Centro de Convivência Vila Vida. It was applied the Barthel Index, to determine the level of functional independence in activities of daily living (ADL) basic self-care, the Index of Downton, to measure the risk of falling, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to classify individuals as sedentary or physically active. Data collection occurred from July to September 2008. The sample consisted of 50 subjects, of which 56% are classified as inpatients (are dependent in domestic ADL and independent in self-care) and 44% as residents (only live in housing of the institution, but are independent in purchasing, finance and home care). There was a prevalence of falls among 38% of the subjects studied. The sample was predominantly female (54%), with low education (36%) and illiterate (30%), with a time of institutionalization between two and five years. There was no statistically significant association between the prevalence of falls and the fact that the subject is hospitalized or residing in the institution, the score on the Barthel Index, or sedentary lifestyle sorted by IPAQ. There was a statistically significant association between physical inactivity and the fact of being inpatient in a home for the aged, and between scores on the Downton index and the prevalence of falls.