@article{ref1,
title="Older community-dwelling people's comparative optimism about falling: A population-based telephone survey",
journal="Australasian journal on ageing",
year="2013",
author="Dollard, Joanne and Barton, Christopher and Newbury, Jonathan and Turnbull, Deborah",
volume="32",
number="1",
pages="34-40",
abstract="Aim:  To determine whether older community-dwelling people underestimate their own perceived chance of falling compared with that of other older people (comparative optimism), and whether a history of falls is associated with comparative optimism. Method:  A sample of community-dwelling South Australians aged ≥65 years (n= 389) completed a computer-assisted telephone interview about their 12-month fall history, their perceived chance of falling and their rating of other older people's chance of falling. Results:  Respondents were comparatively optimistic about their chance of falling (Z =-8.1, P < 0.001). Those who had fallen in the last 12 months had a lower comparative optimism score (Z =-3.0, P < 0.003). Conclusion:  As older people were comparatively optimistic about their likelihood of falling, they might not find fall prevention messages relevant. When older people present with a fall, clinicians could provide fall prevention information consistent with how older people present themselves.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1440-6381",
doi="10.1111/j.1741-6612.2012.00597.x",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-6612.2012.00597.x"
}