Abstract
This study aimed to identify an association between risk of falling and various functions in 45 community-dwelling frail elderly people from the viewpoint of preventive care. The investigated items comprised fall risk, physical functions, cognitive and living functions, and fear of falling. We found that 11% of the elderly people had experienced falls. Factors involved in increasing risk of falling included dynamic and static balance ability, decreased walking speed and cognitive functions about body functions. In terms of cognitive function, decreased attention (selectivity) and living functions, the extent of fear of falling, movement such as the amount of the attention given to falling, leisure activities, the limit of in-home roles, and walking up and down stairs were associated with risk of falling. Fear of falling was also associated with the presence or absence of a domestic role. Fear of falling needs to be considered in addition to physical and cognitive functions when considering the efforts to prevent the fall of frail elderly. Intervention in areas such as the domestic role or leisure activities also seems particularly important.
