Elderly caregiver: knowledge, attitudes and practices about falls and its prevention

Mamani, Abigail Roxana Nina; Reiners, Annelita Almeida Oliveira; Azevedo, Rosemeiry Capriata de Souza; Vechia, Akeisa Dieli Ribeiro Dalla; Segri, Neuber José; Cardoso, Joana Darc Chaves

doi:10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0276

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Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE • Rev. Bras. Enferm. 72 (suppl 2) • Nov 2019 • https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0276 copy

Elderly caregiver: knowledge, attitudes and practices about falls and its prevention

Cuidadores de ancianos: conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre las caídas y su prevención

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

ABSTRACT

Objective:

investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of informal elderly caregivers about falls and its prevention.

Method:

this is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted with 97 informal elderly caregivers residents in areas covered by five Health Strategy Units (ESF) in Cuiabá.

Results:

more than half of the participants are aware of falls and identify them as a problem, as well as they identify some risk factors and prevention measures. Regarding attitudes, more than half of the caregivers do not seem to act effectively to prevent falls. Most of them report adopting practices to prevent falls of the elderly, supervising the activities of their daily lives.

Conclusion:

caregivers know about falls and its prevention, but in a superficial way, and it seems to influence their attitudes and practices regarding the prevention of this event.

Descriptors:
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Caregivers; Accidental Falls; Aged; Health Services for the Aged

Variable	Frequency(n)	Percentage (%)
Is it possible for any elderly person to fall?
Yes	52	53.6
No	45	46.4
The fall of an elderly person is an event
Infrequent	23	23.7
Frequent	37	38.1
Very frequent	18	18.6
I don't know	19	19.6
What can cause an elderly person to fall?^* * Multiple choice variable
Change in balance	49	50.5
Loss of muscle strength	47	48.5
Neglect or lack of attention	26	26.8
Loose mats at home	25	25.8
Wet floors	24	24.7
Flat floor	17	17.5
Comorbidity	14	14.4
Stairs with irregular steps	13	13.4
Old age	12	12.4
Use of inappropriate slippers or shoes	10	10.3
Irregular sidewalks	10	10.3
Sensory problems	9	9.3
Scattered objects	8	8.2
Furniture arrangement	7	7.2
Inadequate nutrition	6	6.2
Stubbornness	6	6.2
Difficulty with mobility	5	5.2
Lack of supervision	4	4.1
Insufficient lighting	3	3.1
Dementia	2	2.1
Climbing and descending stairs without precaution	2	2.1
Rise in the bank	1	1
Other	9	9.3
Do the fall bring consequences to the elderly?
Yes	96	99
No	1	1
Which consequences?^* * Multiple choice variable
Fractures	80	82.5
Loss of functional capacity	42	43.3
Head injuries	22	22.7
Death	21	21.7
Contusions	12	12.4
Skin abrasions	11	11.3
Fear of falling	10	10.3
Social isolation	6	6.2
Depression	1	1
Economic expenses	1	1
Other	6	6.2
Does exist a way to prevent the fall of elderly people?
Yes	87	89.7
No	10	10.3
How to prevent the fall of elderly people?^* * Multiple choice variable
Changes in domicile	51	52.6
Supervision	46	47.4
Use of walking stick or walker, if necessary	9	9.3
Good nutrition and calcium supplementation	8	8.3
Use of handrails on stairs	5	5.2
Practice of physical exercise	2	2.1
Use of suitable anti-slip shoes	1	1
Other	7	7.2
Source of knowledge ^* * Multiple choice variable
Daily experience/coexistence	41	42.3
Radio/TV	31	32
Internet	16	16.5
Family members	14	14.4
Friends	12	12.4
Health professionals	9	9.3
Magazine/journal	4	4.1
Other	10	10.3

Variable	Frequency(n)	Percentage (%)
The fall is a natural event in old age
Disagree	14	14.4
Partially agrees	51	52.6
Totally agree	32	33
Do you consider the fall of an elderly person as a problem?
No	13	13.4
Yes	84	86.6
If yes, how much serious?
Not serious	7	8.3
Very serious	51	60.7
Extremely serious	26	31
Every caregiver should be concerned about the fall of the elderly
Partially agrees	7	7.2
Totally agree	90	92.8
Do you believe that falls can be prevented?
Do not believe	9	9.3
Partially believe	34	35.1
Totally believe	54	55.6
Every caregiver must identify the risks and prevent accidents by falls
Partially agree	15	15.5
Totally agree	82	84.5
If the elderly fall frequently, how do you feel about it?
Not too worried	3	3.1
Very concerned	94	96.9
Total	97	100

Variable	Frequency(n)	Percentage (%)
In the daily care of the elderly, do you usually prevent fall accidents?
Yes	96	99
No	1	1
How do you prevent fall accidents?^* * Multiple choice variable.
Watch the elderly	56	57.7
Avoid loose mats in the house	28	28.9
Avoid wet floor	23	23.7
Orient the elderly to walk with caution	18	18.6
Restrict the activities of the elderly	12	12.4
Install sling bars in the bathroom and other environments	12	12.4
Use anti-slip mats	9	9.3
Avoid scattered toys	8	8.3
Removes furniture that represents danger to the elderly	6	6.2
Orients to the use of walking stick and walker, if necessary	5	5.2
Orients to the use of suitable shoes and not to the use of slippers	5	5.2
Install anti-slip floors	5	5.2
Provides healthy nutrition	3	3.1
Performs periodic check-ups with the doctor	3	3.1
Advises not to climb on banks, chairs or boxes to reach objects	2	2.1
Avoids leaving loose cables in the house	2	2.1
Install lighting in the house	1	1
Other	9	9.3

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[1] Corresponding Author: Abigail Roxana Nina Mamani. E-mail: abigail_nina@hotmail.com