The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #57011

Elizabeth M Bertera, PhD, National Catholic School of Social Service, Catholic University of America, Shahan Hall, Washington, DC 20064, 301 603-1467, ebertera@aol.com and Robert L Bertera, DrPH, Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University, School of Public Health and Health Services, 1725 Shilling Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20906.

Falls are an important barrier to living independently among older persons. One factor that may reduce independence is behavioral change associated with a fear of falling. This study examines activity avoidance behaviors associated with fear of falling among adults 65+ who responded to the National Survey of Self-Care and Aging. Analyses are based on 833 persons who experienced at least one fall in the previous year. Fear of falling was measured by responses to the question: Did you fear falling in the past year? Factor analysis was used to select nine scale items to measure avoidance of common activities such as walking, stooping, reaching and bending (Alpha=.83). The most common behavioral changes after a fall included avoiding activities such as lifting (67%), stooping (40%), walking (39%), going outside (26%), and taking medications that made me dizzy (22%). Regression analysis indicated that the odds of avoiding 2+ activities decreased in a stepwise manner as the fear of falling decreased (OR =6.5 for those who feared daily, 5.3 once or twice weekly, 2.6 once or twice monthly, 2.3 for those who feared a few times in the past year (p<.001). These findings have important practice and policy implications for gerontological health. Health professionals need to include in their assessments the fear of falling and related avoidance behaviors. Interventions designed to help older adults maintain independence could use fear of falling and activity avoidance indicators to evaluate outcomes for those who have experienced a fall.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the role that fear of falling has in limiting common activities among older adults.
• Analyze how the fear of a future fall could limit independence and affect quality of life for those who have experienced a fall within the past year.
• Apply study findings to programs and policies that could support older adults who wish to maintain their independence by living an active lifestyle.

Keywords: Injury Control, Assessments

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.