Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: Falls are a common problem in the elderly. It is the leading cause of injury and death. There are many different causes of falls in the elderly. In the literature, it is stated that the risk of falling increases in the elderly who are exposed to polypharmacy, environmental factors and confusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted to determine the risk factors associated with drug use and falls in elderly individuals. It is a cross-sectional descriptive planned study. The research was conducted with 350 elderly people between November 2017 and February 2018 in a state hospital. The data were collected by face-to-face interview method using the "Information Collection Form" and "Falling Behaviors Scale for the Elderly". The data were analyzed in the SPSS statistical package program. Percentage, mean, chi-square and Mann Whitney U test were used to evaluate the data. RESULTS: It was found that vision problems, use of assistive devices, continuous drug use and use of more than two drugs affected falling behaviors (p<0.05). There was a correlation between the behavioral factors of the elderly to prevent falls in their daily lives and their falling status (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Fall behaviors were found to be high in the elderly. It is necessary to maintain individual and environmental intervention programs to prevent falls. KEYWORDS: Elderly, falling, risk factors, nursing.

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