TY - JOUR
T1 - The Complex Association Between Fear of Falling and Mobility Limitation in Relation to Late-Life Falls
T2 - A SHARE-Based Analysis
AU - Litwin, Howard
AU - Erlich, Bracha
AU - Dunsky, Ayelet
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017, The Author(s) 2017.
PY - 2018/7/1
Y1 - 2018/7/1
N2 - Objective: This study examines fear of falling (FOF) in relation to falls in light of mobility limitation. Method: Data on community-dwelling older Europeans, aged 65+, were drawn from two consecutive waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). The analysis regressed fall status in 2013 on reported FOF 2 to 3 years earlier, controlling for previous falls. Results: FOF predicted subsequent falls when mobility limitation was low to moderate. However, the effect of FOF on fall probability was reversed when mobility limitation was high. Discussion: The analysis underscores a complex association between FOF and mobility limitation in relation to late-life falls. People who are worried about falling tend to fall more. Those having high mobility limitation but lacking FOF are also more likely to fall. In cases of considerable mobility limitation, FOF may act as a protective buffer. The less worried in this group, however, may be subject to greater falling, and thus require greater attention.
AB - Objective: This study examines fear of falling (FOF) in relation to falls in light of mobility limitation. Method: Data on community-dwelling older Europeans, aged 65+, were drawn from two consecutive waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). The analysis regressed fall status in 2013 on reported FOF 2 to 3 years earlier, controlling for previous falls. Results: FOF predicted subsequent falls when mobility limitation was low to moderate. However, the effect of FOF on fall probability was reversed when mobility limitation was high. Discussion: The analysis underscores a complex association between FOF and mobility limitation in relation to late-life falls. People who are worried about falling tend to fall more. Those having high mobility limitation but lacking FOF are also more likely to fall. In cases of considerable mobility limitation, FOF may act as a protective buffer. The less worried in this group, however, may be subject to greater falling, and thus require greater attention.
KW - disability
KW - Europe
KW - falling
KW - frailty
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85048988512&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0898264317704096
DO - 10.1177/0898264317704096
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C2 - 28553817
AN - SCOPUS:85048988512
SN - 0898-2643
VL - 30
SP - 987
EP - 1008
JO - Journal of Aging and Health
JF - Journal of Aging and Health
IS - 6
ER -