The Impact of Falls and Fear of Falling on Health-Related Quality of Life in Taiwanese Elderly

• Published in: Journal of community health nursing Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 84 - 95
• Main Authors: Chang, Nien-Tzu, Chi, Lin-Yang, Yang, Nan-Ping, Chou, Pesus
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis Group 01-04-2010; Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Accidental Falls - prevention & control; Accidental Falls - statistics & numerical data; Age; Aged - psychology; Aged - statistics & numerical data; Aged, 80 and over; Analysis of Variance; Attitude to Health - ethnology; Chi-Square Distribution; Cost of Illness; Elderly people; Falls; Fear; Fear - psychology; Female; Gender differences; Geriatrics; Gerontology; Health status; Humans; Linear Models; Male; Nursing; Nursing homes; Nursing Methodology Research; Older adults; Older people; Physical trauma; Predisposing factors; Prevalence; Public health; Quality of life; Quality of Life - psychology; Retirement communities; Surveys and Questionnaires; Taiwan; Taiwan - epidemiology; Urban Health - statistics & numerical data; Taiwan; Taipei Taiwan
• ISSN: 0737-0016; 1532-7655
• DOI: 10.1080/07370011003704958

This study aimed to investigate the relationship among falls, fear of falling (FOF), and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in elderly people living in the community. The study was a community-based surveillance with residents aged 65 or over in Taipei, Taiwan. Data were collected in face-to-face interviews. Of the 4,056 participants, the prevalence of falls was 13.8% and the prevalence of FOF among women (62.6%) was significantly higher than that among men (46.2%). Adjusted by covariate factors, fear of falling was identified as a major factor related to HRQOL in the elderly and should be emphasized to assist the improvement of HRQOL in geriatrics.