Fear of Falling in the Elderly

Nadine Gagnon, MD, FRCP(C), Research Fellow, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto and University Health Network, and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, ON.
Alastair J. Flint, MB, ChB, FRCP(C), FRANZCP, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, and Head, Geriatric Psychiatry Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON.

To date, researchers have addressed many aspects of falling. During the past two decades, there has been increasing interest in the phenomenon of fear of falling. This paper summarizes data pertaining to the epidemiology, assessment and management of fear of falling, as well as the relationship of fear of falling to other factors.
Key words: fear of falling, elderly, epidemiology, self-efficacy, activities of daily living.