Introduction
Falls of elderly people illustrate a telling health problem related to both physical injury and its psychical effects. They also bring about significant medical and economic consequences.
Aim
The aim of this study is to assess the predisposition to falling as well as the subjective evaluation of quality of life in the elderly after implementation of the fall prevention programme.
Material and methods
The observational study and statistical methods encompassed people aged 65 or older who reported falls during ordinary daily activity. A group of selected patients took part in a three-stage (three-month) rehabilitation programme designed by the authors. The research tools consisted in modified scales: the Katz ADL scale, the Lawton IADL scale, the Tinetti test for balance and gait evaluation, and the EuroQol 5D questionnaire for subjective evaluation of quality of life. The study included test performer before implementing the programme as well as after its completion.
Results and discussion
Slipping at home was the most frequent cause of falling, as it constituted almost 50% of the analyzed cases. During the programme no falls were observed. Patients who completed the programme showed improvements in all the analyzed aspects, especially in activities of daily living and the level of pain.
Conclusions
Both considerable functional and physical improvement as well as lower levels of pain was observed in the participants of the programme. A systematically conducted health improvement exercise programme minimizes susceptibility to falls and has a beneficial effect on improvement of quality of life in elderly people.