Original Article

Determination of the risky behaviors of elderly individuals toward home accidents living in a private care center

  • Tülay Ortabağ
  • Özlem Özdemir
  • Selim Kılıç

Received Date: 28.10.2010 Accepted Date: 09.05.2011 Gulhane Med J 2011;53(3):189-194

The purpose of this research was to determine risky behaviors of individuals with ages of ≥65 years living in Ankara Province Bilkent Private Care Center for at least last one year toward home accidents. Of the 90 elderly individuals living in the private care center, 83.3% accepted to participate in the study. The most frequent risky behaviors of elderly individuals toward home accidents were “don’t get assistance while using wardrobes”, “walk around the room without turning on lamp shade at night”, “getting up from bed without having some rest in the bed”. However the premier safety behaviors were “controlled moving toward open door, window, wardrobe doors while bending and erecting”, “placing goods frequently used on an easily accessible place”, “not to step onto wet surface without slipper after getting out of shower”. An important part of nursing interventions is to evaluate risky and safety behaviors of elderly individuals toward home accidents. In conclusion nursing homes are the secure places in terms of home accidents, however these places are important with regard to increasing awareness of the elderly individuals about the risky behaviors and supporting their safety attitudes for their guard against accidents and increasing the life quality of the elderly people.

Keywords: Home accidents, risky behaviors, elderly