Analysis of risk factors for falls in older people with mental disorders

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the risk factors for falls in older people with mental disorders. Method: A qualitative case study, the interpretation was performed by direct observation and analysis of medical records of 12 elderly institutionalized in psychiatric hospital. Results: 58% were female, 75% aged between 60 and 69 years, 100% had independent gait and everyone had a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia. About history of falls, 57% of elderly females showed the occurrence of falls and 20% of males had the same history. The purpose of the site of the falls, 8% occurred in the courtyard; 25% in the ward, and 67% in the bathroom. Conclusion: The results reinforced the need to prevent the occurrence of falls, to ensure the institutionalized elderly person in a psychiatric hospital a process of senility decent and healthy through the planning and execution of programs to prevent the condition.