Fear of Falling in Older Adults Treated at a Geriatric Day Hospital: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study

Eva M. Melendo-Azuela, Julia González-Vaca and Eva Cirera
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Eva M. Melendo-Azuela: The Doctoral Programme in Comprehensive Care and Health Services, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, 08500 Vic, Spain
Julia González-Vaca: Nursing Research Group (GRIN) from the IDIBELL Translational Medicine Area, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Eva Cirera: Sport and Physical Activity Research Group, Center for Health and Social Research, Department of Experimental Sciences and Methodology, Faculty of Health Sciences and Welfare, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, 08500 Vic, Spain

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 14, 1-9

Abstract: (1) Background: The fear of falling (FOF) is a geriatric syndrome that causes a decrease in daily activities and personal autonomy. Its prevalence is highly variable as are the methodologies used to assess it. This study aimed at estimating the prevalence and describing the main determinants of FOF in older adults attending a geriatric day hospital. (2) Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study of individuals aged ≥70 years, who attended an ambulatory functional rehabilitation group in the metropolitan area of Barcelona. FOF was assessed using the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale. Other recorded outcomes were: sex, age, marital status, living alone, level of education, degree of autonomy, pain, previous falls, visual acuity, and signs of depression. Prevalence was estimated overall and according to the possible determinants. (3) Results: The study included 62 individuals (66.1% women), with a prevalence of fear of falling of 38.7% (95% CI 26.2–51.2%). The identified determinants were pain (OR = 7.4, 95% CI 1.4–39.7), a history of falls (OR = 25.3, 95% CI 2.1–303.4), poor visual acuity (OR = 5.6, 95% CI 1.0–29.8), and signs of depression (OR = 19.3, 95% CI 1.4–264.3). (4) Conclusions: The prevalence and determinants of fear of falling in older adults attending geriatric day hospitals were similar to those described in those dwelling in the community.

Keywords: fear of falling; prevalence; determinants; geriatric day hospital; urban area; Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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