Functionality and Risk of Falls in Elders Followed in a Day Care Center in Brazil.

Adult day centers provide comprehensive care for older adults and may enhance autonomy, well-being, and socialization. This quasi-experimental study evaluated the impact of such multidisciplinary day care on functionality, fear of falling, and risk of falls in community elders. Fifty-two seniors who attended day services were followed for 1 year. During the year, the adults maintained functionality for activities of daily living, presented improvement in instrumental activities of daily living, and no longer presented high risk for falls. No association was found between the risk of falling and fear of falling, however. Results are discussed in terms of the positive outcomes of attending day services.