Fear of Falls and Frailty: Cause or Consequence or Both?

Abstract

Background Many older adults are vulnerable to becoming frail. They are also often at risk for falling and serious injuries and poor health outcomes. Aim This exploratory review examines the correlates of frailty, and fear of falling and their association insofar as older adults wellbeing may be jeopardized. Methods and Procedures Articles extracted from major electronic data bases that addressed the current topic of interest were used. Key findings regarding the syndromes of frailty and fear of falling were duly downloaded, analyzed and summarized in narrative form. Results A high proportion of older adults can be expected to exhibit frailty or become frail as they age. Many too are at risk for falls and fear of future falls, regardless of frailty status. A persistent fear of falls may however, heighten frailty risk or manifestations if not duly addressed in a timely manner. Conclusion Prompt comprehensive assessment of at risk older adults, as well as the frail and pre frail older adult, plus those who have fallen may avert serious injury and long term disability plus excess frailty and its deleterious impacts this syndrome has on aging older adults as well as societies.

Assessment of Fall Risk and its Association with Frailty among Elderly

“…subsequent emergence of frailty [5]. It is associated with an elevated likelihood of falls, less autonomy in the elderly and institutionalization with unfavorable health consequences [8,9]. Clinical indicators of frailty include decreased body mass index, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, inactivity , impaired balance or altered nutritional status.…”

“…Clinical indicators of frailty include decreased body mass index, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, inactivity , impaired balance or altered nutritional status. As a result frailty maintains a high risk of restricted daily activities, cardiovascular disease, carcinomas, falls, i m p a i r e d b a l a n c e, a n d a h i g h e r p r o b a b i l i t y o f hospitalization and fatality [5,8,10]. Every year, between 20 and 30 percent of people who are sixty years of age or older may experience a fall.…”

Fear of Falling and its Relationship With Frailty in Older Adults

“…isk of falling and frailty syndrome are common in old age [1]. Fear of falling is one of the common complications after falling in the elderly [2].…”

“…On the other hand, it is believed that the motor impairment due to the fear of falling can increase the risk of developing frailty syndrome [4]. Identification of modifiable risk factors of frailty syndrome is very important for the development of targeted interventions to prevent or reduce vulnerability in the elderly [1,5,6], because by early identification of the underlying factors in the initial stages, we can improve the conditions to some extent; if the syndrome progresses, it will increase the health care costs, creating a double burden on the elderly, their families, and the health system [6,7].…”