Mobility limitations and fear of falling in non-English speaking older Mexican-Americans

Abstract

Objective To determine whether older Mexican-Americans who cannot speak and/or understand spoken English have higher rates of mobility limitations or fear of falling than their English-speaking counterparts. Design We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 1169 community-dwelling Mexican-Americans aged 72–96 years from the 2000–2001 wave of the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiological Study of the Elderly. Mobility limitations were defined as having a Short Physical Performance Battery score ≤9, and fear of falling by participant report of being somewhat, fairly, or very afraid of falling. We determined the rates and odds ratios, for having mobility limitations and fear of falling as a function of English ability in those who were 72–96, <80, and ≥80 years of age. Results Among participants who were unable to speak and/or understand spoken English 85.7% had mobility limitations and 61.6% were afraid of falling, compared to 77.6% and 57.5%, respectively, of English speakers. Before adjusting for covariates, participants who did not speak and/or understand spoken English were more likely to have mobility limitations (odds ratio: 1.7; 95% (CI: 1.3–2.4) but not fear of falling, compared to English speakers. Among those aged ≥80 years, but not those <80 years, who did not speak or understand English were more likely to have mobility limitations (odds ratio: 4.8; 95% CI: 2.0–11.5) and fear of falling (odds ratio: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.3–3.1). Conclusion Older Mexican-Americans who do not speak or understand spoken English have a higher rate of mobility limitations and fear of falling than their English-speaking counterparts.

Fear of Falling in Older Adults: A Scoping Review of Recent Literature

“…These studies either looked at the relationship with specific conditions (e.g., hypertension) or the presence of one or more morbidities. ( 56 ) Obesity was found to be associated with FOF by two studies ( 27 , 41 ) and one study ( 33 ) also found an association between FOF and sarcopenic obesity.…”

“…Six studies ( 10 , 26 , 27 , 37 , 56 , 57 ) found associations between sensory impairment (i.e., hearing, vision) and FOF. One study ( 34 ) used a combined measure of sensory abilities and found an association between FOF and worse sensory function.…”

“…These studies either looked at the relationship with specific conditions (e.g., hypertension) or the presence of one or more morbidities. (56) Obesity was found to be associated with FOF Socio-demographic Older Age Chang, (8) Chippendale, (69) Choi, (35) Dierking, (21) Ehrlich, (27) El Fakiri, (9) Hajek, (55) Hoang, (70) James, (56)a Lavedan, (66)a Lee, (29,48) Malini, (10) Oh, (57) Peeters, (12,64) Scarlett, (45) Shirooka, (46) Tomita, (37a,72) Uemura, (39) Vitorino (26,32) Female Sex Auais, (13) Chang, (8) Chippendale, (69) Choi, (35) Dierking, (21) Ehrlich, (27) El Fakiri, (9) Gazibara, (37) Hajek, (55) Hoang, (70) James, (56) Lavedan, (66) Lee, (29,48) Malini, (10) Moreira, (41) Oh, (57) Park, (60) Pauelsen, (40) Peeters, (12,64) Shirooka, (46) Tomita, (72) Uemur...…”

Overcoming an Irrational Fear of Falling: A Case Study

“…Annually, 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries (CDC, 2016), and the number of fall-related injuries is projected to be significantly higher by the year 2030 if measures are not taken to prevent falls (Kannus et al, 2007). Fear of falling is associated with higher risk of actually falling (Young & Mark Williams, 2015), mobility limitations (James et al, 2017), disability (Auais et al, 2018), and decreased performance of daily activities (Chua et al, 2019; Lachman et al, 1998). Anxiety and depression related to fear of falling can also lead to increased fall risk and activity restriction (Painter et al, 2012).…”

A hybrid concept analysis of fall risk appraisal: Integration of older adults’ perspectives with an integrative literature review

“…Injurious falls contribute to increasing both direct and indirect care costs and remain a critical burden to health‐care system and household economies . Higher risk of fall is associated with fear of falling, mobility limitations, and disability . Fall risk assessment and prevention are a public health priority and accurately identifying older adults requiring interventions to reduce fall risk is challenging…”