The Fear of Falling and Restriction of Activity in Older Adults

The fear of falling has been recognized as a serious and common problem in older adults that can lead to adverse effects such as excessive activity restriction, increased dependence on others, and an overall decreased life satisfaction and quality of life. The purpose of this study is to examine the fear of falling in older adults and whether it leads to restriction of activities of daily living. Participants in this study will include fifteen older adults who are currently in a rehabilitation unit receiving physical and/or occupational therapy. The inclusion criteria include being over the age of sixty-five, receiving rehabilitation services, and the absence of significant cognitive impairment or a diagnosis of dementia. Participants will first complete a questionnaire (called SAFFE) that assesses fear of falling, activity restriction, and activity levels in older adults. In addition, participants will complete an in-person interview designed to obtain further information about the fear of falling and to understand how this fear affects completion of daily activities. The researchers are currently starting data collection and it is estimated that data collection will be completed by March 15. Qualitative analysis of the interview data will be conducted as well as numerical scoring of the SAFFE questionnaire. The implications of how the fear of falling affects the completion of daily activities will be discussed