The exponential growth of the aging population has been regarded as both a triumph and a predicament for humanity. Projections indicate that by the year 2050, the global population of individuals over the age of 65 will reach approximately two billion (World Health Organization [WHO], 2002). In Portugal, the older population aged 65 and over is 2.023 million people, representing about 19% of the total population [1], and in the last decade the number of older people has increased to about 19% (Instituto Nacional de Estatística, 2011). The aging process is associated with an increased risk of developing various chronic diseases and physical and psychological limitations, including a higher probability of falling. The Joint Declaration of the European Stakeholders Alliance for Active Ageing through Falls Prevention (2015) further emphasizes that, despite numerous constraints on the health and well-being of the elderly, falls are recognized as a contributing factor to morbidity, disability, and premature mortality. This phenomenon has emerged as a pressing concern for health authorities worldwide, underscoring its profound impact on public health. Portugal is not an exception to this phenomenon, and as stated in the National Plan for Patient Safety (2015-2020) issued by the Portuguese Ministry of Health, the prevention of falls is a strategic objective. To assist in achieving this objective and attaining health gains in the older population, a scale adapted to the community contexts in which older adults reside will be utilized.

Approval to use the Falls Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) was obtained through formal contact with Sarah Yallop from the Department of Health & Human Services in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The FRAT is currently being administered in the state of Victoria, Australia to older people living in residential care facilities. Our aim is to adapt it for use among older people living in the Portuguese community. Methodological processes will be carried out for the validation of the FRAT for the Portuguese population and, consequently, for its application to assess falls risk in older people. The semantic, conceptual, and cultural validation of the FRAT by Professor Cidalina Abreu and Assistant Professor Marina Montezuma Vaquinhas has now been completed, and the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education is continuing with the psychometric validation of the scale by a doctoral student under the supervision of Professor Ana Teixeira and co-supervision of Professors Cidalina Abreu and Guilherme Furtado.

Subsequently, a study with be conducted in a community context with the obkective of preventing falls in older individuals, thereby promoting their safety. The first phase of the study will involve an assessment of fall risk. A second phase will involve the implementation of health education sessions for formal and informal caregivers, as well as the older people themselves, depending on the context. Finally, the third phase will involve the identification of health gains through a comparison of pre- and post-training outcomes regarding fall prevention in older people. Finally, a comparative study between the central region (Coimbra) and the state of Victoria (Melbourne, Australia) is planned.

[1] - INE (2011)-Census 2011 - Preliminary results

Resultados esperados

Validação semântica, concetual e cultural da escala de FRAT Validação psicométrica da Escala de FRAT Averiguação do risco de quedas em lares, domicílios e centros de dia Prevenção de quedas em lares, domicílios e centros de dia

Outros resultados

Atividades de extensão à comunidade Internacionalização Relatório: Anual