Investigating the correlation between personal characteristics and health status of Community-Living Elders and Intensity of Fear of Falling

ABSTRACT: Fear of falling is a risk factor for falling in older adults. The present study aims to investigate the correlation between fear of falling and personal and health characteristics of community-living elders. The present study conducted on a sample of 200 elders residence of Tabriz aged 60 to 84 (mean age= 64/86±4/011). Using FES-I (Falls Efficacy Scale-International) questionnaire, the correlation between the intensity of fear of falling and variables of gender, history of falling, history of chronic musculoskeletal disorders, dependence in daily activities and living arrangement was investigated using independent t-Tests. Educational level and economic income using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey test, Self-evaluation of perceived general health using the Spearman correlation coefficient. In the present study, mean scores of fear of falling in women, history of falling, poor perceived general health, history of musculoskeletal disorders, low economic income, dependence in daily activities and living alone were higher (p < 0.05) and there was no significant correlation between fear of falling and educational level (p > 0.05). Fear of falling is associated with personal and health characteristics of older adults. Therefore, screening elders stricken with fear of falling regarding their personal and health characteristics, and using protective measures required to reduce the above-mentioned phenomenon in the elders seem to be essential.