Fear of falling among the elderly: evaluation of the assessment methods
Journal Title: Rehabilitacja Medyczna - Year 2014, Vol 18, Issue 2
Abstract
The fear of falling affects a large percentage of the elderly population. This complex fear can significantly curtail an individual’s independence and diminish their overall quality of life. Initially described as merely the psychological consequence of a fall, this fear has gradually been acknowledged as a complex phenomenon within its own right. The fear of falling is not just a fear of physical injury, long-term health damage or physical disability. It also engages a series of social consequences, e.g., shame, the sense of being a burden to others, and an appreciable loss of self-confidence. Studies reveal that a fear of falling actually affects a larger proportion of the population than the actual incidence of falling itself. Fear of falling in an elderly community is estimated to affect between 12% – 65% of the population of non-fallers, and 29% – 92% of those who have sustained a recent fall. The overall incidence of falls is estimated to be approximately 30%. Fear of falling not only imposes limitations on individual activity, resulting in a reduced ability to pursue the activities involved in daily living, but also results in impaired gait and balance, which itself further increases the risk of falls, institutionalization, and an overall decline in quality of life. A precise and standardized measurement of the fear of falling, from a subjective perspective, is necessary for an effective evaluation of this phenomenon with a view to effectively identifying the individuals most at risk of exposure to its consequences within a clinical environment. A review of the literature on this subject acknowledges the appropriateness of the Falls Efficacy Scale – International as an effective instrument for this assessment. Its prospective application across Poland should significantly contribute to an improved appreciation of this phenomenon within the aging process, and facilitate a viable comparison of Polish research data with results obtained in foreign studies.
Authors and Affiliations
Marek Żak
Keywords
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