title: Older Adults' Opinions on Fall Prevention in Relation to Physical Activity Level.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore and describe older adults' opinions regarding actions to prevent falls and to analyze differences in the opinions of highly versus less physically active older adults. An open-ended question was answered by 262 individuals aged 75 to 98 years living in the community. The answers were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, and differences in the categories were compared between highly and less physically active persons. Physical activity was measured according to a five-level scale. The content analysis resulted in eight categories: assistive devices, avoiding hazards, behavioral adaptive strategies, being physically active, healthy lifestyle, indoor modifications, outdoor modifications, and seeking assistance. Behavioral adaptive strategies were mentioned to a greater extent by highly active people, and indoor modifications were more often mentioned by less active older adults. Support for active self-directed behavioral strategies might be important for fall prevention among less physically active older adults.
authors.affiliation: 1 Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tuvemo Johnson
authors.affiliation: 1 Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Cathrin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: 1 Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Anens
authors.affiliation: 2 Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ann-Christin
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.affiliation: 1 Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hellström
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001290:Attitude; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004777:Environment; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D000070497:Healthy Lifestyle; D000066505:Help-Seeking Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
keywords: fall prevention; older adults; opinions; physical activity