Accidents due to falls and femoral fracture in elderly population

Abstract

Aim: this study aims to know the characteristics of elderly people hospitalized for femoral fracture and extrinsic factors related to accidents due to falls. Method: this is a crosssectional and descriptive study, carried out from February 2012 to February 2013, with 108 elderly patients hospitalized due to a femoral fracture in a medium-sized hospital in Pelotas city. The variables of socioeconomic and demographic data were analysed in relation to the extrinsic factors of falls in the elderly population. Results: most of the interviewees were retired, widowed, literate, and suffered a fractured femur due to the fall in their own homes. Most of the houses did not have adaptations inside and the available rugs were not non-slip. Conclusions: the findings show that accidents due to falls can be avoided with simple measures; however an evaluation of the elderly and of the environment in which they live is necessary, identifying the risks for falls.

Keywords

• acidentes por quedas
• fraturas do fêmur
• idoso