Modified Fall Risk Appraisal Matrix and Mental Health in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

The fall risk appraisal (FRA) matrix provides multidimensional approaches to detecting falls in late adulthood. This study investigated a modified FRA (mFRA) matrix based on self-assessed fall risk (SFR) and fear of falling (FOF). We also compared the mental health and characteristics of the four mFRA groups: Rational (low SFR and low FOF), Irrational (low SFR and high FOF), Incongruent (high SFR and low FOF), and Congruent (high SFR and high FOF).

This study used data from 181 older adults (MeanAge = 74.58, SDAge = 7.13) in Central Florida. SFR was measured using the CDC Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries fall checklist. FOF was measured using the Short Fall Efficacy Scale-International. Descriptive and group comparison analyses were performed using SPSS.

The participants were categorized: Rational (n = 80, 44.2%), Irrational (n = 12, 6.6%), Incongruent (n = 26, 14.4%), and Congruent (n = 63, 34.8%). Rational showed better mental health, fewer falls, and higher health literacy. In contrast, Congruent reported worse mental health, more falls, and lower health literacy.

Findings provided empirical evidence to design fall prevention and interventions that consider older adults' experiential and psychological fall risks.

Fall risks of older adults may be measured and comprehended as a multidimensional concept.