PROFILE OF ELDERLY PEOPLE WITH FEMUR FRACTURES LIVING IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CARAÁ

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1594872424093

• Palavras-chave: nursing; medicine; femur fracture; elderly

• Keywords: nursing; medicine; femur fracture; elderly

• Abstract:

  The aim of this study was to find out the profile of elderly people diagnosed with femur fractures in the municipality of Caraá. This is a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional, population-based, census-type study using a questionnaire developed by the researcher, with elderly people aged 60 and over living in the urban and rural areas of the municipality of Caraá - Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil. The research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Centro Universitário Cenecista de Osório (UNICNEC) under the number of the Research Ethics Committee (CEP) 6.271.664. This study included elderly people aged 60 or over diagnosed with a femur fracture. Nine elderly women who had suffered a femur fracture were interviewed, all of whom were female, with an average age of 81.1 years, all of whom were white, Catholic and retired. Most had a partner and multiple pathologies, and rated their health as reasonable. In order to restore the damage caused, 44.44% of the patients had been hospitalized for 17 days or more, and a large part of the sample had back problems and osteoporosis, took 5 or more medications a day and had urinary incontinence. Few of them use rugs on the floor and have stairs at home, and most of them have grab rails in the bathroom to help them. The data shows that the majority of elderly people have fallen at home, making it a risky place. There is a lack of prevention of fractures and falls in elderly patients on the part of the SUS. As a result, the number of elderly people with fractures accessing health services increases every day, as prevention is not effective. However, nurses and doctors are of great importance to patients, and should have a broad view of them, assessing them and providing comprehensive care. It is suggested that further research be carried out to encourage policies for caring for the elderly. Thus, this study brings the innovation of nurses and doctors providing care and detecting early changes and possible complications, taking part in monitoring the patient and the services provided to them by their multi-professional team.