Comparison of the mental status of elderly individuals with fractures by falling and of healthy elderly individuals

Although falls are not specific to old age, they are an important health problem that increases with age and causes mortality and morbidity in elderly individuals. This study was conducted to compare the mental states of elderly individuals with fractures as a result of falling and healthy elderly individuals. This study is a descriptive comparative study. The population of the study consists of patients over the age of 65 who were hospitalized due to fall-related fractures in Adana Seyhan State Hospital Orthopedics Service between 02 May-31 October, 2022, and healthy individuals over the age of 65 who visited their inpatient in the same hospital. The sample of the study consisted of 146 elderly individuals in the group with fractures and 150 elderly individuals in the group without fractures (n= 296). In this research "Personal Information Form (KBF)" was used to collect research data, "Symptom Screening Test (SCL-90-R)" was used to determine the level of psychological symptoms of individuals, and "Standardized Mini Mental Test (SMMT)" was used to evaluate cognitive status. Number, percentage, average, standard deviation, pearson chi-square test, pearson correlation test, student's t test, ANOVA and post hoc test were used to evaluate the data. In this study, the SCL-90-R Interpersonal Sensitivity sub-dimension score averages and "Symptom Levels" of elderly individuals with fractures were found to be significantly higher than those of healthy individuals. The SMMT total, Orientation, Remembering, and Language scores of elderly individuals with fractures were found to be significantly lower than those of healthy individuals. It has been determined that there is a positive and significant relationship between age, length of stay, number of falls and SCL-90-R in elderly individuals with fractures. It has been determined that there is a negative and significant relationship between age and number of falls and SMMT in elderly individuals with fractures. It has been determined that there is a negative and significant relationship between SCL-90-R and SMMT in elderly individuals with fractures. The average SCL-90-R score was found to be significantly higher in both fractured and healthy women compared to men. The average SCL-90-R score of illiterate individuals in both the fractured and healthy groups was found to be significantly higher. The average SCL-90-R score of the elderly individuals with a lower income than the expenditure was found to be significantly higher than the individuals whose income was equal to the expenditure. In line with these results, it is recommended to plan nursing interventions to increase the interpersonal skills of elderly individuals with fractures and to implement nursing interventions to protect and develop the orientation, orientation, mental and language skills of elderly individuals.