Citation

Choi NG, Bruce ML, Dinitto DM, Marti CN, Kunik ME. J. Aging Health 2019; ePub(ePub): 898264319825586.

Affiliation

Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0898264319825586

PMID

30698470

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between (a) activity-limiting fall worry (ALW) and (b) self-reported health-related restrictions and social engagement among older adults.

METHOD: The National Health and Aging Trends Study Waves 5 (T1) and 6 (T2) provided data ( n = 6,279). Binary and multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine association of T2 social engagement restrictions with T2 fall worry and association of T1-T2 changes in social engagement restrictions with T1-T2 changes in fall worry.

RESULTS: ALW was significantly associated with both informal and formal social engagement restriction at T2. Onset of ALW and continued ALW between T1 and T2 were also significantly associated with newly reported restrictions in both informal and formal social engagement at T2 even controlling for falls incidents and changes in health status and other covariates.

DISCUSSION: The findings underscore the importance of reducing fall worry and preventing social disengagement in late life.

Language: en

Keywords

activity participation; fall worry; falls; fear of falls; social engagement