Evaluation of falling risk and quality of life in the elderly

Authors : Ömer Faruk Tekin, Ece Arık, Muammer Yılmaz, İnci Arıkan

Pages : 276-284

Doi:10.21673/anadoluklin.1395507

View : 101 | Download : 138

Publication Date : 2024-09-23

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the risk of falling, which is one of the conditions that threaten the health of the elderly, and to evaluate its relationship with quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a province located in the west of Türkiye between September and November 2022. The questionnaire was conducted face-to-face in family health centers after obtaining informed consent from the participants. In this study, a questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, features related to falls, the fall risk for the older in the community (FROP-Com) screening scale, and the EQ-5D quality of life scale was used. Results: The study was completed with 413 participants. The prevalence of falls within the last year in the study group was 21.1%. According to FROP-Com screen; 8.0% of the participants had a low fall risk and 92.0% had a high fall risk. The median EQ-5D index score was 0.7 (minimum=-0.2; maximum=1.0). FROP-Com fall risk was accepted as the dependent variable, the risk of falling; It was found that it increased 2.5 times in those who did not exercise, 5.1 times in those who did have balance problems, and 3.6 times in those who used assistive devices compared to those who did not. Conclusion: In the Central District of Kütahya, one out of every five people over the age of 65 had a history of falling within the last year. In the study, it is remarkable that there is a relationship between exercise status and the risk of falling. Falls can be prevented or reduced by increasing exercise status.
Keywords : Düşme, yaşam kalitesi, yaşlılık