The Falls Risk Awareness Questionnaire: development and validation for use with older adults

Falling is a significant cause of disability and death among older adults, and assessing awareness of risk factors is the first step to developing falls intervention programs. Older adults who had fallen in the past were more aware of risk factors for falls, and may be receptive to fall risk information following a fall. This may be an opportune time for health care professionals to provide education on risks for falls to prevent further injury. The Falls Risk Awareness Questionnaire (FRAQ) was validated in a range of patients and practice settings, and after further testing, the FRAQ may play an important role in identifying specific differences in the knowledge of risk factors.