Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and effects of falling on elderly people. Twenty-three people from 61 years to 95 years old were interviewed in their homes. Four attitudes toward falling emerged: unconcern, natural aging, learning experience, and dramatic impact. The attitudes represented the process of falling: experiencing, assessing, and living with the effects of falling. Unconcern was an attitude toward falling that a person would not fall or that a fall would not happen. People who had this attitude were in their mid-eighties or older and fell frequently due to physical problems but sustained only minor injuries. They had a strong desire to maintain independence and made no changes to reduce their risk. Those who developed an attitude of natural aging viewed falling as normal. This group was under 76 years old and healthy. They had fallen once with few consequences. They believed in their abilities to be prepared for falling and took appropriate actions to reduce their risk; therefore, they had little concern about falling. People with an attitude of a learning experience viewed falling as a benefit or opportunity. These individuals were over 76 years old, had moderate injuries, and were concerned about falling. They made minor changes, used knowledge about how to safely fall, and had a sense of mastery. The fourth attitude was dramatic impact. Falling was viewed as a feared event that had changed their lives. Chronologically younger, they felt older because of their disabilities or severe consequences from falling. Having difficulty rising after falling was a common occurrence and fear. They were very concerned about falling and incorrectly perceived themselves as very vulnerable. These individuals had a reduced sense of mastery, made the most changes to reduce their risk of falling, and continued falling. The results indicated that a healthy level of concern motivates people to reduce their risk and results in feeling prepared. A concern about falling could be considered healthy until people perceived falling as controlling their lives. Interventions should focus on providing people with a sense of mastery of falling.