El fenómeno de las caídas en residencias e instituciones: revisión del Grupo de Trabajo de Osteoporosis, Caídas y Fracturas de la Sociedad Española de Geriatría y Gerontología (GCOF-SEGG) / Falls in nursing homes and institutions: Update by the Osteoporosis, Falls and Fractures Working Group of the Spanish Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (GCOF-SEGG)

Desde el Grupo de Trabajo de Osteoporosis, Caídas y Fracturas (GOCF) de la Sociedad Española de Geriatría y Gerontología (SEGG), se creó una comisión de trabajo con vistas a realizar una revisión de la evidencia en cuanto a la detección, los factores de riesgo y las herramientas de valoración de caídas, así como las pautas de actuación frente a las mismas en residencias e instituciones. Igualmente, se definen los distintos perfiles de usuarios de estas instituciones para efectuar una aproximación exhaustiva respecto a un fenómeno y a una subpoblación tan heterogéneos, ofreciendo una clasificación de riesgo y unas recomendaciones específicas de acuerdo a dicha clasificación(AU)

The Workshop on Osteoporosis, Falls and Fractures (GCOF) of The Spanish Geriatrics and Gerontology Society (SEGG) formed a committee in order to review the state of the art on the detection, risk factors and assessment tools for falls, and intervention protocols when falls occurs in nursing homes, long-term hospitals or medium-stay units. The different patient profiles are described in order to make a comprehensive approach to this heterogeneous topic and population, offering a risk classification and specific advice according to these categories(AU)

[Falls in nursing homes and institutions: update by the Osteoporosis, Falls and Fractures Working Group of the Spanish Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (GCOF-SEGG)]. / El fenómeno de las caídas en residencias e instituciones: revisión del Grupo de Trabajo de Osteoporosis, Caídas y Fracturas de la Sociedad Española de Geriatría y Gerontología (GCOF-SEGG).

The Workshop on Osteoporosis, Falls and Fractures (GCOF) of The Spanish Geriatrics and Gerontology Society (SEGG) formed a committee in order to review the state of the art on the detection, risk factors and assessment tools for falls, and intervention protocols when falls occurs in nursing homes, long-term hospitals or medium-stay units. The different patient profiles are described in order to make a comprehensive approach to this heterogeneous topic and population, offering a risk classification and specific advice according to these categories.

Miedo a caerse / Fear of falling

El temor o miedo a caerse (MC) puede considerarse como una respuesta protectora a una amenaza real, previniendo al anciano de iniciar actividades con alto riesgo de caerse, aunque conlleve a una restricción de las actividades que resultará a largo plazo en un efecto adverso en el plano social, físico o cognitivo. Se presenta con una prevalencia del 30% en los ancianos que no tienen historia de caídas y en el doble en aquellos que han tenido el antecedente de caída. Su prevalencia es más elevada en mujeres y con la edad más avanzada. Se han desarrollado diversas escalas para medir los efectos psicológicos del MC, entre las que destacan la escala de eficacia en caídas, la escala de confianza y equilibrio en las actividades específicas y la encuesta de actividades y temor de caída en la tercera edad. Tiene unas consecuencias negativas en la funcionalidad, en la sensación subjetiva de bienestar y en la consiguiente pérdida de autonomía. El deterioro funcional, físico o de la calidad de vida está claramente relacionado con el MC, aunque no está bien establecido si estos factores son causa o efecto. Se han recomendado múltiples intervenciones con óptimos resultados, conllevando a cambios que resultan en reforzar su confianza para realizar las actividades. Las intervenciones e investigaciones deberían promover una visión real y adaptada sobre el riesgo de caídas y enseñar a los ancianos a realizar actividades seguras. Aunque la reducción del MC es un objetivo importante en sí mismo para mejorar la sensación subjetiva de bienestar, los beneficios podrían incrementarse si esta reducción también se acompañase de un incremento en una conducta segura, en una participación social y en actividades de la vida diaria(AU)

Fear of falling (FF) can be considered as a protective response to a real threat, preventing the elderly from performing activities with high risk of falling, but can also lead to a restriction of the activities that will result in a long-term adverse effect on social, physical or cognitive functions. There is a prevalence of FF in 30% in the elderly who have no history of falls, and double that in those with a history of falling. Its prevalence is increased in women and with advanced age. Several scales have been developed to measure the psychological effects of FF, among which are noted are, the Fall Efficacy Scale (FES), the Activities-specific Balance and Confidence Scale (ABC), and the survey of activities and fear of falling in the elderly (SAFE). It has negative consequences in the functionality, the subjective feeling of well-being, and in the consequent loss of independence. The functional and physical deterioration, or the quality of life is clearly related to the FF, although it has not been established if these factors are cause or effect. Multiple interventions have been recommended, bringing about changes that reinforce their confidence to carry out activities. Interventions and research should promote a realistic and appropriate approach to the risk of falls and teach the elderly to perform activities safely. The reduction in FF is an important goal in itself to improve the subjective feeling of well-being, and the benefits could be increased if this reduction was also accompanied by an increase in safe behaviour, social participation, and activities of the daily life(AU)

[Fear of falling]. / Miedo a caerse.

Fear of falling (FF) can be considered as a protective response to a real threat, preventing the elderly from performing activities with high risk of falling, but can also lead to a restriction of the activities that will result in a long-term adverse effect on social, physical or cognitive functions. There is a prevalence of FF in 30% in the elderly who have no history of falls, and double that in those with a history of falling. Its prevalence is increased in women and with advanced age. Several scales have been developed to measure the psychological effects of FF, among which are noted are, the Fall Efficacy Scale (FES), the Activities-specific Balance and Confidence Scale (ABC), and the survey of activities and fear of falling in the elderly (SAFE). It has negative consequences in the functionality, the subjective feeling of well-being, and in the consequent loss of independence. The functional and physical deterioration, or the quality of life is clearly related to the FF, although it has not been established if these factors are cause or effect. Multiple interventions have been recommended, bringing about changes that reinforce their confidence to carry out activities. Interventions and research should promote a realistic and appropriate approach to the risk of falls and teach the elderly to perform activities safely. The reduction in FF is an important goal in itself to improve the subjective feeling of well-being, and the benefits could be increased if this reduction was also accompanied by an increase in safe behaviour, social participation, and activities of the daily life.