Fear of falling among Brazilian and Portuguese older adults

Abstract

Background Falling is the leading cause of physical disability, mortality and social exclusion in older adults. In Brazil and Portugal, falls cause thousands of hospitalisations every year. Fear of falling (FOF) causes loss of confidence in accomplishing daily tasks, restriction in social activities and increased dependence. Aim To compare the prevalence of FOF between Brazilian and Portuguese community‐dwelling older adults and the factors associated with FOF. Methods A secondary analysis of cross‐sectional survey data collected from older adults residing in Brazil (n = 170; M age=70.44 years) and Portugal (n = 170; M age=73.56 years). Results The prevalence of FOF was significantly higher (p = 0.015) among Portuguese (n = 133, 54.1%) versus Brazilian (n = 113, 45.9%) older adults. FOF among Brazilian older adults was associated with being 76 + years of age and female. Among Portuguese older adults, factors associated with FOF were intake of daily medications, having fallen within the past year, and visual difficulties. Conclusions Fear of falling is linked with modifiable and non‐modifiable factors. Timely assessments of FOF and factors associated with FOF are essential. Implications for practice Primary care nurses should assess and address FOF in older people with interdisciplinary practitioners.

Prevalencia del miedo a caer y factores asociados en personas mayores que viven en la comunidad

“…Así, Rivasi et al 26 identificaron una prevalencia del 15,1% a través de una modificación del FES-I (MFES-I) en una población irlandesa de mayores de 60 años. Vitorino et al 27 obtuvieron una prevalencia del 54,1% en Portugal y del 45,9% en Brasil mediante el FES-I en una muestra de pacientes mayores de 64 años que acudían al centro de salud. En tres estudios realizados en Asia (Corea, Japón y Taiwán) las prevalencias son similares a las publicadas en este estudio, oscilando entre el 43 y el 53% 5 , 8 , 12 , 21 .…”

Associação entre aspectos físicos-funcionais, comportamentais e de saúde com o medo de cair em idosos comunitários

“…Dados concordantes foram observados nos estudos. 2,15,22,23,38,49 No estudo de Vitorino 2 realizado com idosos comunitários brasileiros, foi destacado que aqueles com baixa percepção em saúde apresentaram mais medo em cair do que aqueles com melhor percepção em saúde. Ademais, parece haver relação entre baixa percepção em saúde e maior número de doenças, 50 fragilidade 51 e diagnóstico de doenças mentais, 52 o que pode influenciar no medo em cair.…”

Validation of the International 7-Item Falls Efficacy Scale in Portuguese Community-Dwelling Older Adults

“…17,[23][24] However, there was no confirmation regarding gender as found in other studies. [2][3]15,[23][24][25] A score equal to or greater than 15 on the FES-I scale (7 items), applied to the communitydwelling older adults, allowed predicting fear of falling in general, impaired balance, impaired sight and decreased health status. Thus, in addition to the general perception of fear of falling, this scale has the ability to predict some factors associated with the risk of falling for the community-dwelling older adults.…”

“…The fear of falling is one of the etiologies of the "risk of falling" and "frailty" Nursing diagnoses, 1 being a related determinant factor especially in the older adults. [2][3] In recent decades there has been a steady increase in people's longevity, and associated with the older adults comes the condition of vulnerability. 4 These changes challenge Nursing, especially in the sense of implementing preventive Nursing interventions.…”

“…7 Failure to evaluate the fear of falling prevents the introduction of measures to prevent the risk for falls, reduces participation in daily life activities, increases periods of immobility due to insecurity in relation to the ability to maintain balance and walk safely, and is also a predictor of dependence and increased risk for falls. [2][3]7 Thus, in the context of the clinical practice, nurses must systematically assess the "fear of falling" of older adults, using scales adapted and culturally validated, to guarantee the reliability and validity of the results. 8,13 The objective of this study was: to determine the psychometric properties of the International 7-item Falls Efficacy Scale, Portugal, in a sample of community-dwelling older adults.…”