The Relationship of Balance Disorders with Falling, the Effect of Health Problems, and Social Life on Postural Balance in the Elderly Living in a District in Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of balance disorders; the effects of sociodemographic, medical, and social conditions on postural balance; and the relationship between balance and falls in elderly individuals. The study design was cross-sectional. A total of 607 community-dwelling elderly individuals with a mean age of 73.99 ± 6.6 years were enrolled after being selected by stratified random sampling. The study was performed as a face-to-face survey in the homes of elderly individuals. Sociodemographic and medical data were obtained from elderly individuals using the Elderly Identification Form. Balance disorders were determined using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). In this study, the prevalence of balance disorders was found to be 34.3% in the community-dwelling elderly. Older age, physical disability, having four or more chronic illnesses, the presence of incontinence, having a history of falls, not walking regularly, absence of free time activity, and obesity were found to be associated with an increased prevalence of balance disorders. Balance disorders are commonly seen in the elderly and may be triggered by a variety of biological and social factors. It is crucial to develop and implement national health and social policies to eliminate the causes of this problem, as well as to prioritize preventive health services in the ever-increasing elderly population.