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Elderly persons' attitudes towards footwear--a factor in preventing falls
R G Dunne1, A B Bergman, L W Rogers
1Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98104.
Public Health Reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974)
|March 1, 1993
Summary
Many older adults own sturdy shoes, but few wear them regularly. Barriers like foot problems and cost hinder use, highlighting a need for targeted fall prevention programs for seniors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Falls are a leading cause of injury, morbidity, and mortality in the elderly population.
- Wearing sturdy footwear is a recognized fall prevention strategy for older adults.
- Understanding attitudes and usage patterns of sturdy shoes is crucial for effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the attitudes and current usage of sturdy shoes among individuals aged 65 and older.
- To identify barriers preventing older adults from consistently wearing sturdy footwear.
- To inform the development of programs aimed at increasing sturdy shoe utilization in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A random telephone survey was conducted with individuals aged 65 years and above.
- A total of 652 participants completed the interviews.
- Data collected included current sturdy shoe use, historical use, and perceived barriers.
Main Results:
- Only 26% of older adults reported wearing sturdy shoes at the time of the survey.
- Over two-thirds of respondents had worn sturdy shoes at some point.
- Key barriers identified were foot problems, difficulty with donning, cost, style preferences, and lack of awareness regarding importance.
Conclusions:
- Despite availability, consistent use of sturdy shoes is low among older adults.
- Multiple factors, including physical and practical challenges, impede regular use.
- Intervention programs should address these identified barriers to promote fall prevention through appropriate footwear.