Risk and fear of fall in elderly: associated factors

The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between the risk of falls and the fear of falling in the elderly. This is an analytical study. The research was carried out in Basic Health Units in São Luís, Maranhão. The study population consisted of 406 elderly people. Three instruments were used: an identification form and social profile of the elderly, a Downton risk assessment form, and the international fall effectiveness scale (FES - I - BRAZIL).The Chi-square test of association was applied to evaluate the relationship between the qualitative variables: risk of falling and fear of falling, and their relationship with the variables of the chips. It has been noted that the risk of falling depends on the fear of falling. The characteristics of age, schooling, diagnosis of osteoporosis, not practicing physical activity and presenting underlying disease influence the risk of falling and fear of falling, just as the fact of living alone also influences the fear of falling. It is concluded that the risk of falls is associated with the fear of falling, and that, when determining the presence of fear of falling in an elderly person, it is assumed a high risk of falling.