EVENTS THAT TOOK ELDER WOMEN TO SUFFER FALLINGS

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify situations that led elderly women to fall. The subjects of this study were six elderly women from 62 to 92 years oíd age who were hospitalized due to falls. The data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews with the elderly women, and observation of their environment. Data interpretation has been related to analysis of the main themes, as PAULO FREIRE proposed. Presentation of this analysis was composed by description and interpretation of situations that led elderly women to fall, evidencing the following main themes: process of aging and senility, physical and psychosocial environment. The authors proposed an educative experience to elderly women in order to prevent new falls.