A1 Journal article (refereed)
A qualitative investigation exploring neighbourhood environment, risks and fear of falling, and fall prevention strategies among urban-dwelling older adults in a high-density city (2022)

Zhang, C.-Q., Zhang, R., Baker, J. S., Hagger, M. S., & Hamilton, K. (2022). A qualitative investigation exploring neighbourhood environment, risks and fear of falling, and fall prevention strategies among urban-dwelling older adults in a high-density city. Ageing and Society, FirstView. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X22001209

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Zhang, Chun-Qing; Zhang, Ru; Baker, Julien S.; Hagger, Martin S.; Hamilton, Kyra

Journal or series: Ageing and Society

ISSN: 0144-686X

eISSN: 1469-1779

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 10/11/2022

Volume: FirstView

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X22001209

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Abstract

Falls in older adulthood can have serious consequences. It is therefore important to identify ways to prevent falls, particularly from the voice of older adults. Bottom-up qualitative exploration of the perspectives of older adults can provide rich insights that can help inform the development of effective fall prevention programmes. However, currently there is a dearth of such empirical data, especially among urban-dwelling older adults in high-density cities where fall rates are high. The current study aimed to examine qualitatively perceptions of neighbourhood physical environment in relation to falls, perceived risks and fear of falling, and strategies and behaviours for fall prevention in a sample of urban-dwelling older adults in the high-density city of Hong Kong. Face-to-face semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 50 community-dwelling older adults. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis techniques. Five general themes were revealed: risks and circumstances of falls, consequences of falls, fear of falling and its consequences, neighbourhood environment, and strategies and behaviours of fall prevention. While older adults discussed the risks of falling and held a fear of falling, these beliefs were mixed. In addition to fall prevention strategies (e.g. keep balance), current findings highlighted the importance of establishing protective factors (e.g. flat and even walking paths) and reducing risk factors (e.g. neighbourhood clutter) in neighbourhood environments. For urban-dwelling older adults in high-density cities, current findings highlight the importance of focusing efforts at the built environment level in addition to strategies and behaviours of fall prevention at the individual level.

Keywords: older people; falling over; fear (emotions); risk factors; residential environment; constructed environment; building density; large cities

Free keywords: built environment; older adults; fall prevention; fear of falling; perceived falling risks

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 2