Lifestyle of Fallen Elderly Patients Referred to Isfahan Hospitals

Falling is one of the most common health problems in elderlies as the result of multiple risk factors interference. Lifestyle is a behavioral risk factor for falling. Hence, studying lifestyle factors and demographic characteristics in falling accidents is very important for prevention of this event. This study aimed to determine the components of lifestyle in fallen elderlies who have referred to hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.
This study is a cross-sectional study on 200 elderlies who, following their fall, had referred to 5 selected government hospitals and were discharged afterwards in 2013. These hospitals were affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The subjects were selected using stratified random sampling. The data collection tools included the demographic data and a questionnaire of healthy lifestyle in elderly people. For data analysis, SPSS v.17 was used. Descriptive statistical test was used to describe the data and independent t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient were used for analytical analysis.
Most of them (70%) fall at home and 20% of them had appropriate life style. The scores of lifestyle components were 11.5 for physical activity and exercise, 17.6 for stress management. The mean score of social and interpersonal relations was 21.67. It was 36.62 for healthy eating and 53.73 for accident prevention.
According to the results of the study, only 20% of the participants had appropriate lifestyle. Most components of lifestyle were low except for “accident prevention”. Hence, with regard to other factors, improving indoor and outdoor environment and providing social welfare services are recommended to prevent falling.