Risk factors for gait disorders in institutionalized older people from 65 to 80 years old

Abstract

The population ages globally and considering that institutionalization plays a very important role in this stage it is important to consider the repercussions that this brings with it in the march. The objective of the study was to describe the main factors that predispose gait alterations in institutionalized older adults, aged between 65 and 80 years.

Materials and methods: study of the narrative review of existing evidence about risk factors for gait disorders in institutionalized older adults. Using the databases Cochrane database, MEDES, Scielo, Trip database, academic Google and JAMDA, 40 scientific articles were selected, published between 2013 and 2018, in Spanish and English.

Results: according to the literature, the most frequent alterations in gait in the elderly are: decrease in speed and step length, asymmetry in movement and pseudoclaudication. Among the main predisposing factors are: the profile of the elderly person, characterized by functional impairment, disability, dependence, comorbidity and very old age, the paradigm of reactive-curative care of institutionalization systems that limits the user's independent performance, it does not focus on prevention and subjects the individual to rules that force a sedentary lifestyle; finally, the infrastructure is often deficient and inadequate according to the needs of the residents.

Conclusions: the gait disorders in institutionalized older people are influenced by intrinsic factors of the user, the care model of institutionalization centers and characteristics in infrastructure.