The relationship between fear of falling, quality of life, and basic and instrumental activities of daily living in elderly women: A cross-sectional study

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between fear of falling (FoF), quality of life (QoL), basic activities of daily living (ADL), and instrumental ADL in older women. In a cross-sectional study, ۲۰۰ older women over ۶۵ years old in Mashhad, Iran, were included. The average physical activity of the participants was ۱۱.۱۰ (SD=۷.۳۹) hours per week. The mean of FoF, QoL, basic ADL, and instrumental ADL of older women was ۳۲.۱۹ (SD=۱۰.۲۸) out of ۶۴, ۲۹.۵۷ (SD=۷.۳۶) out of ۴۸, ۱۲.۷۶ (SD=۲.۰۶) out of ۱۴, and ۱۳.۰۵ (SD=۳.۸۸) out of ۱۸, respectively. There was a negative relationship between FoF and variables, including QoL (r= -۰.۷۱۴, P<۰.۰۰۱), basic ADL (r= -۰.۵۹۱, P<۰.۰۰۱), and instrumental ADL (r= -۰.۵۳۵, P<۰.۰۰۱). There was a positive relationship between QoL and variables, including basic ADL (r=۰.۶۰۷, P<۰.۰۰۱) and instrumental ADL (r=۰.۷۰۵, P<۰.۰۰۱). Also, there was a positive relationship between basic ADL and instrumental ADL (r=۰.۷۸۱, P<۰.۰۰۱). Overall, the outcomes of this study bear noteworthy implications for healthcare practitioners engaged in the care of older women. Through elucidating the associations among FoF, QoL, and ADL, healthcare providers can devise tailored interventions to ameliorate these concerns and enhance the holistic well-being of elderly female clientele.

Keywords:

Accidental falls , Quality of Life , Elderly , physical activity