Elderly caregiver: knowledge, attitudes and practices about falls and its prevention

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of informal elderly caregivers about falls and its prevention. Method: this is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted with 97 informal elderly caregivers residents in areas covered by five Health Strategy Units (ESF) in Cuiabá. Results: more than half of the participants are aware of falls and identify them as a problem, as well as they identify some risk factors and prevention measures. Regarding attitudes, more than half of the caregivers do not seem to act effectively to prevent falls. Most of them report adopting practices to prevent falls of the elderly, supervising the activities of their daily lives. Conclusion: caregivers know about falls and its prevention, but in a superficial way, and it seems to influence their attitudes and practices regarding the prevention of this event.