A Study of Detecting Individual to Mental Health of Fear of Falling (FOF) in Indian Cities

A Study of Detecting Individual to Mental Health of Fear of Falling (FOF) in Indian Cities

Bhavika Malik, Akshath Lilesh Kamath, Anusha Krishnan Iyer, Anuj Dinesh Ghag, S. Sneha, Nandini Shah, Arshkirat Gill
Copyright: © 2023 |Pages: 15
DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3693-1301-5.ch013
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Abstract

The relationship between fear of falling (FOF) and fall-related injuries in elderly is becoming quite prominent and its factors have not been explored. FOF is a person's anxiety towards mobilizing, with a perception that a fall will occur. Approximately 25% to 55% of community-living elderly are afraid of falling. The context of this problem is generalized in terms of FOF and has no sufficient data available for washroom spaces. Physical, medical, and psychological performances of 175 people in the age gap of 65 - 75 years were considered, over three cities i.e., Mumbai, Pune, and Kota. Past fall histories, medical histories, GAUG tests and responses to various washroom activities were recorded to establish the FES table. On the basis of these evaluations the factors causing FOF were determined, and a city comparison was made. This chapter provides an overview of FOF and a foundation on which to base decisions about the design of preventive interventions.
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2. Background Of Current Research

Elderly people have always been conscious of falling, making it difficult to mobilize without any worries. The elders explained how the fall factor revolves more around the washroom area and how they have to be cautious and slow while using it. Some of them have prepared simple tasks to drain out the soapy water, making it easier for them to stand and work. People are quite aware of the level difference and objects in the bathroom, which gives them confidence that they won’t crash into objects and slip. Doing activities like brushing and dressing up doesn't bother them much, as these tasks barely take any time and people prefer changing outside rather than inside the washroom. Slippers are being used by a few of them to give them the grip they need to walk on the slippery tiles, in spite of the fact that they are wet. Falls may increase the already-present medical issues (Teixeira, et al., 2019).

The mindset of the person gets affected by the number of falls already experienced, which increases the chances of more falls in the future. People with a previous fall history or medical conditions have a higher psychological fear of falling. Most of them prefer bigger, uncluttered washroom spaces, as it instils confidence in them. Many of them face problems when there are slippery, wet floors. They also prefer evenly levelled washrooms with no steps or level differences. Even if there is a step, they would like to have a railing that would aid them. Elderly people find it advantageous to have a railing in the washroom while they get up from the commode or even while they navigate around the washroom, especially when the floor is wet. This gives them a sense of confidence and security. There is no FOF data available for the elderly in the washroom sector. There is no determination of factors that develop FOF in the washroom. This is the research gap that we will be working on in this study (Wang, et al., 2017).

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