STUDY OF THE CAUSES OF FALLS AMONG ADULTS IN HOSPITAL AND ATTITUDES FOR THE PREVENTION OF FALLS FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Sonya K. Nencheva
Pages: 61-66
ABSTRACT: Falls are defined as one of the leading causes of injuries among the elderly. Every second and every day in America, older people fall, and every 20 minutes they die from falling. Mortality due to falls is rising dramatically every year. Aim: to study the causes of falls among the studied contingent and the attitudes for prevention of repeated falls. Material and methods: 31 patients accommodated in orthopedics and traumatology wards, Burgas were studied. A sociological method was used - a standard interview, for which a questionnaire was compiled, a documentary method - medical documents and a statistical method were studied - with the help of SPSS 19. Results: slips due to slipping predominate (51.61% ± 8.98). Lower limb fractures are the most common (67.74% ± 8.40), which coincides with similar studies. Most of the respondents did not think about a change in the environment (45.16% ± 8.94), and 16.13% ± 6.61 do not want one at all. Less than a quarter are willing to participate in prevention programs (22.58% ± 7.51). Conclusion: the environment of the elderly person is of particular importance for his safety. Changes in our environment and fall prevention, from the point of view of occupational therapy, are very important for the prevention of recurrences and related limitations in activities of daily living, productivity, leisure activities and hobbies, social isolation and not last place - the quality of life.
Keywords: Falls, injuries, elderly people, fall prevention, health promotion
