Fall-related behavioural risk factors in community-dwelling older adults

Abstract

This thesis includes three manuscripts with an overarching objective to improve understanding of behavioural risk factors for falling in community-dwelling older adults. The first manuscript presented in Chapter two, presents a protocol for a scoping review. The objective of this scoping review was to highlight the current methods used to identify fall-related risk-taking behaviours in community-dwelling older adults, and to identify factors that might contribute to these behaviours. The second manuscript (Chapter three) presents the results of the scoping review written in the format for publication. The review identified older adults are generally aware of their own falls risk and engage in protective behaviours to reduce their risk of falling. Older adults engaged in risk-taking behaviours based on the potential benefits outweighing perceived risk of the behaviours. An individual’s abilities, self-perception, personal values, and the environment likely influence the perception of risk which contributes to risk-taking behaviours. The third manuscript (Chapter four) includes the analysis of clinical data from a community-based multi-component fall prevention program – the Building Balance Program. Individuals who participated in this six-week fall prevention program improved in balance ability, lower extremity muscle strength, mobility, and reduced fear of falling from baseline. Fear of falling (FoF) was the highest amongst the youngest participants despite having better physical function at the outset of the Program. This suggests that in addition to physical function, other factors, like psychological and social factors may be involved with FoF.