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Self reported function and disability in late life: a comparison between recurrent fallers and non-fallers
1Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. itzikm@bgu.ac.il
Disability and Rehabilitation
|November 27, 2008
Summary
Recurrent fallers among the elderly showed significantly lower self-reported function, particularly in lower extremity tasks. However, their frequency of performing life tasks was not solely determined by functional capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Rehabilitation Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Falls are a significant concern for elderly individuals, impacting their independence and quality of life.
- Understanding the relationship between functional status and disability in fallers is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
- Self-reported measures provide valuable insights into an individual's perceived abilities and limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare self-reported function and disability between elderly fallers and non-fallers.
- To investigate the association between balance, function, and disability in recurrent fallers.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 100 community-dwelling elderly individuals.
- Self-reported Late Life Function and Disability (LLFDI) was assessed, evaluating physical activities and life task participation.
- Evaluations included fall history, cognitive function, Berg Balance Test (BBS), and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests.
Main Results:
- Recurrent fallers (RF) exhibited significantly lower overall function scores on the LLFDI compared to non-fallers (NF), primarily due to decreased lower extremity function.
- No significant differences in disability component scores were found between RF and NF.
- In RF, overall function, BBS, and TUG scores were highly correlated, as was disability limitation with BBS, but not with disability frequency.
Conclusions:
- Balance function, self-reported function, and disability limitation are strongly associated in recurrent fallers.
- The frequency of performing life tasks in recurrent fallers is not solely influenced by their functional capabilities.
- These findings suggest a complex interplay between physical function, perceived disability, and participation in daily activities among the elderly who fall.
