THE EFFECT OF GENDER AND LIVING PLACE ON THE NUMBER OF FALLS, THE RISK OF FALLING, THE FEAR OF FALLING AND BALANCE OVER 65 YEARS OF AGE

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of gender and living place on the number of falls, the risk of falling, the fear of falling, and balance of older people. A total of 148 volunter elderly individuals (59 women and 89 men living in a nursing home and home) participated in this study. According to the 2X2 ANOVA analysis results; gender showed a statistically significant effect on the number of falls (df = (1, 140), F = 5,777, p= .018), fear of falling (df= (1, 140), F=4,609, p=.034), risk of falling (df= (1, 140), F=5,999, p=.016), functional reach test scores (df= (1, 140), F=10,866, p=.001). Older women were more likely to fall than older men, had a higher risk of falling, fear of falling, and a poorer balance. Living place was showed statistically significant effect on fear of falling (df= (1, 140), F=36,854, p=.000), risk of falling (1, 140), F=5,750, p=.018). While elderly people living in the house had more fear of falling than the elderly living in the nursing home, the older people living in the nursing home had a higher risk of falling than those living at home. Gender*living place interaction had a significant effect on fear of falling (df= (1,140), F=12,056, p=.001). It was observed that both older men and women living at home had more fear of falling than older men and women living at nursing homes. According to Independent Sample t test; Functional reach test scores (balance skills) were found to be higher in the elderly who had a low fall risk. In conlusion; to prevent falls and to take precautions, the risk of falls, fear of falling and balance skills of the elderly should be monitored on a regular basis.