Medidas utilizadas en la prevención de caídas en adultos mayores: Una revisión sistemática.

Abstract

Introduction: As the population ages, falls in older adults are much more prevalent. Fall prevention has become a priority. Strategies aimed at preventing falls include the assessment of known risk factors and the treatment of identified modifiable factors; therefore, preventing falls in older adults is the responsibility of all healthcare personnel. Objective: To systematize information on the measures used to prevent falls in older adults in nursing homes, focusing on the construction of scientific knowledge and the development of skills to contribute to the assessment and care of geriatric patients. Methodology: The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis) method was employed using keywords and Boolean operators in the main health databases, considering the measures used for preventing falls in older adults. Conclusions: Preventing falls in older adults is fundamental; therefore, several strategies such as identification of risk factors, education of the patient and the staff in charge of the care of older adults, specific nursing interventions within their context, and physical exercise —vital not only in fall prevention but also in the quality-of-life improvement— should be applied. Keywords: measures, prevention, falls, older adults.