ABSTRACT
The fall is an event of high incidence after 60 years, especially among women, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to characterize the profile of aged women treated at the outpatient unit of the Open University for Studies on the Elderly / UERJ in the year of 2007, in relation to the occurrence of falls. Records were collected on 81 anamneses of elderly women onsocio-demographic variables, occurrence and number of falls in the last year, Body Mass Index, number of previous diseases reported, number of medications in use, and positive screening tests for visual acuity, changes in functional mobility, impairment of functional capacity, depression and cognitive impairment. From the total of elderly woman studied, 50 (61.7%) reported the occurrence of one or more falls in the last year, predominantly in the age group of 70-79 years old. Most of the group which fell presented nutritional disorders (60.4%), four or more morbidities (76%) and symptoms of depression (62%). The falls average was higher in the group with intermediate functional capacity. It follows that it is important to incorporate the assessment of the risk of falls by functional tests in the routine care of the elderly tohighlight and monitor, by a simple form and with low cost, changes that demand interdisciplinary preventive interventions, caring and rehabilitation, contributing to a more healthy life expectancy and recovering or maintaining a higher quality of life to elderly people which suffered falls.
Keywords:
Aged; Accidental Falls; Comprehensive Health Care; Prevention&Controls; Risk Assessment; Rehabilitation; Women.