Mechanism of falls in the elderly: risk factors, complications and prevention

Abstract

Brazil is undergoing a demographic transition with the exponential growth of the population aged over 60. Aging is a natural and inherent process in every human being, accompanied by physiological changes in the body and certain consequences, notably the risk of falls. This study aimed to analyze the fall mechanisms concerning risk factors, complications, and prevention strategies. An explanatory and bibliographic study was conducted using research available in the Scielo and Virtual Health Library (BVS) databases, published between 2019 and 2024, with the keywords: elderly, falls, and frailty. During the research, 396 articles were found, and based on established criteria, 15 studies were selected and analyzed qualitatively. It was found that fall risk factors are intrinsic to the elderly and extrinsic, related to the environment. Complications include abrasions, long bone fractures, bruises, hospitalizations, and, in severe cases, death. Prevention strategies involve adapting the environment and improving the elderly's clinical health condition, such as maintaining blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and visual acuity. Effective policies for fall prevention in the elderly are necessary, starting with primary care by forming elderly groups, assessing risk factors, involving family and caregivers, and continuing with secondary care by evaluating and implementing multidisciplinary interventions to reduce the risk and incidence of falls.