Abstract
Objective
To understand and discuss the perceptions about fear of falling (FOF) in older adults without a history of falls.
Method
A qualitative study with a convenience sample consisting of 51 older adults. Data collection was out through semi-structured interviews during the Covid-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results
Three themes were grouped: FOF and its repercussions; Reactions to FOF in the daily life of the pandemic; and No fear, but aware of aging. The older adults reported a fear of dependence, difficulties and cautious behaviors in activities of daily living and mobility in the community.
Conclusion
Understanding FOF can contribute for your approach and building multidisciplinary and intersectoral strategies aimed at maintaining independence and strengthening the identity of older adults without a history of falls in the community.
Acknowledgments
We thank the key informant for the initial indications and to all the participating older adults, who in the midst of the pandemic contributed in some way to this study. Special thanks to the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) for the financial support.
Ethics statement
This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Minas Gerais under the number CAAE: 47629021.3.0000.5149.
Consent form
Informed consent was obtained and signed from the participants prior to conducting the interviews.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Data availability statement
The participants of this study did not give written consent for their data to be shared publicly, so due to the sensitive nature of the research supporting data is not available.