Abstract
This qualitative research study explores the effects of COVID-19 on the fear of falling in the aging adult population as well as the efficacy of the fall prevention course, A Matter of Balance. The study analyzed the fear of falling in a rural community of aging adults in Northfield, Minnesota. It was the only face-to-face fall prevention course in Minnesota offered during the pre-vaccination times of COVID-19, which provided a unique set of data. After the intervention course, semi-structured interviews identified the importance of a social community in decreasing fear of falling. The research also identified the importance of both physiological and psychological interventions within the fear of falling. The isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic elevated the importance of social community in the aging population in regards to fall prevention. This research yields future possibilities to explore further relationships between aspects of the social community and other benefits for aging adults.
Presenters
Jennifer HolbeinAssistant Professor, Kinesiology, St. Olaf College, Minnesota, United States Kieran Mullen
Student, None, St. Olaf College, Minnesota, United States Emma Hanson
Student, Kinesiology, St. Olaf College, Minnesota, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Social and Cultural Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
Fear of Falling, Aging Adults, Social Communities, Evidence-Based Interventions
