ASSOCIATION BETWEEN FEAR OF FALL AND FUNCTIONAL STATUS IN ELDERLY POPULATION

Abstract

This cross-sectional study was conducted over six months in various settings across Lahore, including community centers, outpatient clinics, and residential care facilities, to assess the association between fear of falling and functional ability among older adults. A total of 117 elderly individuals aged 60 years and above were selected using non-probability convenient sampling, as determined through Cochran’s formula. Participants were eligible if they could ambulate independently or with assistive devices and reported fear of falling, measured using the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I). Individuals with severe cognitive impairment, acute medical illness, neurological or musculoskeletal disorders, psychiatric illness, or major sensory deficits were excluded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic variables, and Chi-Square analysis was applied to assess the relationship between fear of falling and functional ability. The results showed a statistically significant relationship between FES-I and FAQ5 scores (r = –0.370, p < 0.01), indicating that as fear of falling increased, functional ability decreased. The mean FES-I score was 38.26 (SD = 9.80), reflecting moderate to high fear levels, while the mean FAQ5 score was 12.04 (SD = 3.80), indicating moderate limitations in physical function. These findings underscore the importance of addressing fall-related fears to preserve functional independence in the elderly