Falling fear cripples elderly
A fear of falling is making many elderly people prisoners in their own homes, a British survey has suggested. More than one in five of the 500 people aged 75 years and older, interviewed by the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service charity, lived in fear of falling.
A fear of falling is making many elderly people prisoners in their own homes, a British survey has suggested.
More than one in five of the 500 people aged 75 years and older, interviewed by the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service charity, lived in fear of falling.
A third of them had suffered falls in recent years and a fifth of these said they had lost confidence as a result.
A quarter said poor street conditions – poor lighting and uneven pavements – made them feel less confident about leaving the house.
The study’s lead researcher, David McCullough, confirmed older people had little confidence to “get out and about” because they fear they will fall.
“This research shows the psychological effects of worrying about a fall can be as debilitating and devastating as physical injuries,” he said.
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