Risk for falls among community-dwelling older people: systematic literature review

Abstract

Objective: To identify the risk factors for falls of the community-dwelling elderly in order to update the Taxonomy II of NANDA International.

Method: A systematic literature review based on research using the following platforms: EBSCOHost®, CINAHL and MEDLINE, from December 2010 to December 2014. The descriptors used were (Fall* OR Accidental Fall) AND (Community Dwelling OR Community Health Services OR Primary health care) AND (Risk OR Risk Assessment OR Fall Risk Factors) AND (Fall* OR Accidental Fall) AND (Community Dwelling OR older) AND Nurs* AND Fall Risk Factors.

Results: The sample comprised 62 studies and 50 risk factors have been identified. Of these risk factors, only 38 are already listed in the classification.

Conclusions: Two new categories of risk factors are proposed: psychological and socio-economical. New fall risk factors for the community-dwelling elderly have been identified, which can contribute to the updating of this nursing diagnosis of the Taxonomy II of NANDA International.