Balance, Falls, Fear of Falling, and Foot Function in Older in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether foot function is associated with balance, falls, fear falls in community-dwelling older adults. Materials and Methods: A total 47 adults (13 women, 34 men) residing Denizli were included.Foot functions, falling dynamic balance fall risk evaluated by the Foot Function Index (FFI), Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I), Timed Up Go test (TUG), respectively. number previous year questioned. Results: mean age 75.34±7.81 years. According FFI score, mild pain (21.19±19.87) activity limitation (15.34±12.20), moderate disability (32.72±26.00) found. 76.7% participants had 57.4% a falling. There positive correlation between FES-I FFI-pain (r=0.538,p=0.000), FFI-disability (r=0.417,p=0.004),FFI-activity (r=0.532,p=0.000). weak TUG (r=0.367,p=0.011) (r=0.352,p=0.015), while strong FFI-activity (r=0.602,p=0.000). Conclusion: As result our daily living activities due problems may increase loss falling.Although short term, restriction or avoidance physical protects elderly against long term it deteriorates mental health, restricts social participation, reduces quality life, increases future falls. Increasing foot-health awareness determining taking precautions important eliminate all these risks.