Risk Factors of Fear of Falling in Community- Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

              Fear of falling is a major health problem among the elderly living in communities. Understanding the risk factors related to fear of falling can help identify high risk groups and appropriately design future interventions and studies. This systematic review study was conducted based on a searching of PubMed and CINAHL. Key words for the search included fear of falling, risk factors, older adults, community, and community-dwelling in all possible combinations. Nine relevant studies were found.  A concept synthesis of Walker and Avant’s method was used (Walker and Avant, 2011). Five factors including demographic characteristics, history of falls, physical health, impact of mood, cognitive status, and environmental characteristics are considered as main risk factors of fear of falling among older adults. The findings from this literature review can be useful for early signs of fear of falling warning, assessment, and design of programs for fear of falling prevention. Further research should be conducted to examine risk factors of fear of falling in other races and to clarify environmental factors and develop an appropriate intervention program for older adults.