Participation restriction, not fear of falling, predicts actual balance and mobility abilities in rural community-dwelling older adults.

Background And Purpose: Fear of falling (FOF) has been correlated with an increased risk for falls, self-restriction of physical activity, and subsequent decrease in quality of life in older adults. The relationship between perceived FOF, participation restriction, and balance and mobility abilities is unclear, as results from prior studies are inconsistent. Few studies have used the Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (SAFE) as a standard measure of FOF, although this survey provides both a measure of FOF and participation restriction.

Fear of falling and its relationship with anxiety, depression, and activity engagement among community-dwelling older adults.

Objective: This study examined (1) the relationship of fear of falling to depression, anxiety, activity level, and activity restriction and (2) whether depression or anxiety predicted fear of falling, activity level, activity restriction, or changes in activity level.

Method: We administered the Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly; the Geriatric Depression Scale-30; and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, IVR Version, during a one-time visit to 99 community-dwelling adults ≥55 yr old.

Results: We found significant relationships between (1) fear of falling and depression, anxiety, and activity level; (2) depression and anxiety; and (3) activity restriction and depression.

Feasibility of interdisciplinary community-based fall risk screening.

Objective: This pilot study examined the feasibility of (1) conducting interdisciplinary fall risk screens at a communitywide adult fall prevention event and (2) collecting preliminary follow-up data from people screened at the event about balance confidence and home and activity modifications made after receiving educational information at the event.

Method: We conducted a pilot study with pre- and posttesting (4-mo follow-up) with 35 community-dwelling adults ≥55 yr old.

Results: Approximately half the participants were at risk for falls.

Relationship between fall-related efficacy and activity engagement in community-dwelling older adults: a meta-analytic review.

Objective: Fear of falling can lead to restricted activity, but little is known about how this fear affects different aspects of people's lives. This study examined the relationship between fall-related efficacy (i.e.

Falls in community-dwelling adults aged 50 years and older: prevalence and contributing factors.

The current descriptive study examined the prevalence, selected fall-related contributing factors, and ramifications of falls over 4 yrs in 663 community-dwelling adults older than 50 yrs. The current findings demonstrated an appreciably higher percentage of falls (62.1%) than the national average (33%).