Fear of Falling among the Community-Dwelling Elderly

To assess the incidence of falls and the prevalence, intensity, and covariates of fear of falling among community-dwelling elderly, the authors surveyed a random sample of 196 residents (≥ 58 years of age) of housing developments for the elderly in Brookline and Plymouth, Massachusetts. Forty-three...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of aging and health 1993-05, Vol.5 (2), p.229-243
Main Authors: Howland, Jonathan, Peterson, Elizabeth Walker, Levin, William C., Fried, Lise, Pordon, Dorothy, Bak, Sharon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accidental Falls - statistics & numerical data
Aged
Fear
Female
Geriatric Assessment - statistics & numerical data
Health administration
Health Services Research - statistics & numerical data
Health Surveys
Housing for the Elderly
Humans
Linear Models
Logistic Models
Male
Massachusetts - epidemiology
Multivariate Analysis
Quality of Life
Risk Factors
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Summary:To assess the incidence of falls and the prevalence, intensity, and covariates of fear of falling among community-dwelling elderly, the authors surveyed a random sample of 196 residents (≥ 58 years of age) of housing developments for the elderly in Brookline and Plymouth, Massachusetts. Forty-three percent reported having fallen in recent years, 28% in the last year. Of those who had fallen within the year prior to the interview, 65% reported injury, 44% sought medical attention, and 15% required hospitalization as a consequence of their fall(s). Fear of falling ranked first when compared to other common fears (i.e., fear of robbery, financial fears). Self-rated health status and experience of previous falls were significantly associated with fear of falling. Further analysis suggests that fear of falling may affect social interaction, independent of risks for falling.
ISSN:0898-2643
1552-6887
DOI:10.1177/089826439300500205