Predictors of Fear of Falling and Activity Avoidance in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

Falling and fear of falling are reported as becoming two of the most common and critical problems facing older adults. Healthcare costs associated with fear of falling continue to escalate. Existing research has identified factors that contribute to fear of falling and resultant activity avoidance, however, inconsistencies remain. This study aimed to evaluate significant factors in predicting fear of falling and activity avoidance as a result of fear of falling. Determining predictors of fear of falling and activity avoidance in community-dwelling older adults was useful and will continue to guide healthcare practitioners in developing multifactorial assessments to reduce overall risk among this targeted population. This study examined whether or not age, gender, previous fall history, and prescription medication use were significant factors in predicting a person’s fear of falling and activity avoidance. In addition, examining the relative importance for each of the predictor variables was of interest. A cross-sectional approach, using a convenience sample of community-based older adults age 65 and older was utilized. Independent variables consisted of gender, age, fall history, and prescription medication use. Dependent variables consisted of fear of falling and activity avoidance. Multiple and hierarchical regression analyses with descriptive statistics were used to analyze research results. The results of this study found that variables gender and prescription medication use were statistically significant in predicting fear of falling. However, neither age nor fall history, were statistically significant for this dependent variable. In contrast to the results found with fear of falling, no independent variables were statistically significant in predicting activity avoidance. Future research should continue to evaluate predictors of fear of falling and activity avoidance, specifically gender and prescription medication use. More information is needed to fully understand the role of gender and fear of falling, notably the male experience. Additionally, prescription medication use warrants further investigation. Prescription medication use would benefit from an improved operational definition to fully understand the scope of this predictor variable.