ELDERLY FALL PREVENTION: RISK FACTORS AND HEALTH PROMOTION IDENTIFICATION.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Falls are a really common and devastating event for elderly people. It can indicate a beginning of an illness or signalize a weakness, besides increasing the health system costs. The aim of this study is to present elderly falls main risk factors and preventive measures, and to promote better quality of life. METHOD The Vila Velha University Medical students performed an educational Speech for 20 elderly people in a Public Health Unity, in Brazil, providing information about the main falls risk factors, as well as, physiological changes related to senility and how to handle them. Preventive measures Illustrations and explanations were presented and afterwards a checklist was used to identify the risk factors on the participants‘ residences. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS 50% of the elderly people presented at the speech have already suffered some kind of injury caused by avoidable falls. Among the main causes of falls, 40% were related to postural hypotension, 30% to use of inappropriate shoes, 20% to fall during taking a shower and 10 % to associated comorbidity, such as labyrinthitis. Notice that 90% did not practice any physical activity. The elderly population in Brazil has been increasing each year, impacting the assistance offered by the public health system services. A fall can be decisive in a senior autonomy rupture, intervening directly to his quality of life and dependency level. The risk factors identification facilitated the performance of the health professionals, ensuring the elderly people more security and life quality.