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The prevalence and correlates of fear of falling in elderly persons living in the community

Author

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  • Arfken, C.L.
  • Lach, H.W.
  • Birge, S.J.
  • Miller, J.P.

Abstract

Objectives. Fear of falling has been recognized as a potentially debilitating consequence of falling in elderly persons. However, the prevalence and the correlates of this fear are unknown. Methods. Prevalence of fear of falling was calculated from the 1-year, follow-up of an age- and gender-stratified random sample of community-dwelling elderly persons. Cross- sectional associations of fear of falling with quality of life, frailty, and falling were assessed. Results. The prevalence of fear increased with age and was greater in women. After adjustment for age and gender, being moderately fearful of falling was associated with decreased satisfaction with life, increased frailty and depressed mood, and recent experience with falls. Being very fearful of falling was associated with all of the above plus decreased mobility and social activities. Conclusions. Fear of falling is common in elderly persons and is associated with decreased quality of life, increased frailty, and recent experience with falls.

Suggested Citation

  • Arfken, C.L. & Lach, H.W. & Birge, S.J. & Miller, J.P., 1994. "The prevalence and correlates of fear of falling in elderly persons living in the community," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 84(4), pages 565-570.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1994:84:4:565-570_1
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    Cited by:

    1. Antony G. Philippe & Aurélie Goncalves & Christophe Martinez & Maxime Deshayes & Elodie Charbonnier, 2022. "Can an Eight-Session Multicomponent Physical Exercise Program Reduce Fall Risk and Fear of Falling among the Elderly?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-8, July.
    2. Eileen J. Porter, 2007. "Actions Taken by Frail Older Widows to Allow Home Care Providers Access to Their Homes," Clinical Nursing Research, , vol. 16(1), pages 44-57, February.
    3. Justina YW Liu, 2015. "Fear of falling in robust community‐dwelling older people: results of a cross‐sectional study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 24(3-4), pages 393-405, February.
    4. Lea KubÃ­Ä ková & Martina RaÅ¡ticová & NaÄ a Hazuchová, 2022. "What Are Czech Seniors Afraid of? Study on Feeling of Safety Among Seniors," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(3), pages 21582440221, August.
    5. Myeounggon Lee & Yoonjae Noh & Changhong Youm & Sangjin Kim & Hwayoung Park & Byungjoo Noh & Bohyun Kim & Hyejin Choi & Hyemin Yoon, 2021. "Estimating Health-Related Quality of Life Based on Demographic Characteristics, Questionnaires, Gait Ability, and Physical Fitness in Korean Elderly Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-18, November.
    6. Roongtip Duangkaew & Josette Bettany‐Saltikov & Paul van Schaik & Gokulakannan Kandasamy & Julie Hogg, 2020. "PROTOCOL: Exercise interventions to improve back shape/posture, balance, falls and fear of falling in older adults with hyperkyphosis: A systematic review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(3), September.
    7. Luc Viet Tran & Thanh Xuan Nguyen & Thu Thi Hoai Nguyen & Huong Thi Thu Nguyen & Tam Ngoc Nguyen & Thao Thi Phuong Nguyen & Huong Thi Thanh Nguyen & Thang Pham & Anh Trung Nguyen & Huyen Thi Thanh Vu, 2024. "Fear of Falling: Exploring Associated Factors among Elderly Residents in the Rural Communities of Vietnam," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(6), pages 1-10, May.
    8. Barbara Resnick, 1998. "Functional Performance of Older Adults in a Long-Term Care Setting," Clinical Nursing Research, , vol. 7(3), pages 230-246, August.
    9. Barbara Resnick, 1999. "Falls in a Community of Older Adults," Clinical Nursing Research, , vol. 8(3), pages 251-266, August.
    10. Wennberg, Hanna & Hydén, Christer & Ståhl, Agneta, 2010. "Barrier-free outdoor environments: Older peoples' perceptions before and after implementation of legislative directives," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 17(6), pages 464-474, November.

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