OBJETIVE: To analyze the influence of changes in function/cognition and the presence of depression in institutionalized elderly who have suffered falls, in order to prevent these accidents. METHODS: Quantitative exploratory and descriptive research, conducted with 30 elderly individuals in Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), using five data collection instruments. The analysis was conducted using SPSS 13.0. RESULTS: We found that: the majority were women; had low levels of education; the risk of falls increased with age; older people with less time in an institution had fallen more. We identified the influence of medication use on falls. In relation to functional capacity, the elderly who had fallen, had independence for activities of daily living; of 20 elderly with scores suggestive of cognitive impairment, ten suffered falls. There was no significant influence between depression and falls in our investigation. CONCLUSION: Results show the importance of determining the influence of functional / cognitive changes and the presence of depression, and in episodes of falls in institutionalized elderly.
Geriatric assessment; Accidental falls/prevention & control; Homes for the aged; Geriatric nursing