Fear of Falling

Fear of falling or loss of confidence sometimes occurs after a fall. This can lead to a vicious cycle of stopping activities, which in turn reduces muscle mass and strength.

Assess your fear of falling by asking yourself the following questions:

• Am I worried about falling?
• Have I had falls or broken bones already?
• Do I avoid activities because I might fall?
• Am I staying home more because I have fallen or am afraid I might fall?
• Do I think I could do more things if I wasn’t scared of falling?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions it is important to discuss this with a family member and/or health professional.

Suggestions

• Become aware if you are afraid of falling and how it is affecting your everyday activities and mobility.
• Discuss your fear of falling with family members and health professionals to find ways to take appropriate steps towards fall prevention in order to attain and maintain their independence and enjoy life.
• Be prepared before a fall. If you live alone, a personal alarm or cordless telephone can give you greater confidence to stay active in and around the house. Personal alarms are usually worn as pendants around the neck or as bracelets.
• Protect yourself! Hip protectors are protective shields that fit into special underwear garments, and can be effective in reducing hip fractures. People with weakened bones, or reduced muscle strength may benefit from wearing hip protectors.

Helpful Resources

• Physiotherapy Association of B.C.
• Canadian Association for Occupational Therapists - British Columbia