Literature Synthesis on Falls of the Elderly in the Year 2013-2022

Abstract

The objectives of this document analysis research were to synthesize literature on falls among the elderly and to link theoretical concepts in preventing falls among the elderly in Thailand in the year 2013-2022. The population included a total of 30 studies related to falls in the elderly which searched from three databases: ThaiJo, Research Gateway Common Service and Google.co.th. The research instruments were the research quality assessment form and the research data recording form. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including percentages, means, standard deviations, and content analyses.

Results of the study revealed that most of the research studies were on the development of programs to prevent falls for the elderly, totaling 15 subjects (50%). The research literature synthesis was based on four dimensions of conceptual frameworks: 1) emergency medical situation, risk assessment, and policy recommendations for preventing falls among the elderly; 2) attitudes, cognition, emotion and behavior in falls among the elderly; 3) factors that affect or are related to falls among the elderly; and 4)  development of programs, models, rehabilitation, and measures to prevent falls for the elderly. As for Theoretical concepts are linked to fall prevention care, a total of 7 concepts consisting of 1) emergency medical policy concept, 2) balance attitude theory, 3) theory of  predisposing factors, enabling factors, and reinforcing factors, 4) theory of health promotion 5) self-care  theory, 6) health literacy concept, and 7) public health concept.