Risk of falls in the elderly: an integrative review based on the north american nursing diagnosis association

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the scientific production regarding risk factors for falls in the elderly, based on the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association found in the Brazilian and international literature from 2005 to 2010. This integrative review was performed using the descriptors: accidental falls and elderly, utilizing the following databases: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Latin-American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature. Thirty-two articles were selected for content analysis. The results are presented according to the risk factors indicated by the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association, which are: environmental risk factors, such as rooms with excessive furniture and objects/rugs on the floor, poor illumination, and slippery floors; cognitive risk factors such as reduced mental state; risk factors in adults such as age above 65 years; physiological risk factors such as impaired balance, visual difficulties, incontinence, difficulty in walking, and neoplasms; and risk factors associated with the use of certain medications. An examination of the risk factors for falls in the elderly shows the need to develop new strategies to change environments and intrinsic components.