Citation

Guthrie DM, Fletcher PC, Berg K, Williams E, Boumans N, Hirdes JP. J. Aging Health 2012; 24(2): 269-286.

Affiliation

Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0898264311422598

PMID

22019612

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of medication use and other factors in predicting activity restriction due to a fear of falling (AR/FF). METHODS: Older adults were assessed twice with the interRAI Community Health Assessment and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). The main outcome was limiting going outdoors due to an AR/FF. Medications were recorded by trained assessors. RESULTS: Participants (n = 441) had a mean age of 80.3 (SD = 7.1) years, most were aged 65+ (96.8%) and 29.3% reported activity restriction. Taking nervous system active or cardiovascular medications was associated with AR/FF. In a multivariate model, the main predictors were having 3+ comorbid health conditions, lower (i.e., worse) scores on the BBS, having difficulty with climbing stairs, and having a visual impairment. DISCUSSION: Modifiable risk factors, related to functional impairments, such as difficulties with balance and vision, appear to be more important predictors than medications.

Language: en