Fear of falling

by | 03/06/2025

Risk

  • Experiencing a fall can leave someone feeling shaken and more cautious, which is a completely normal reaction. However, if fear of falling becomes constant, it can start to limit their ability to stay active and enjoy life.

Reason

  • Fear might stop a person doing things and they may lose confidence in their abilities.
  • Being fearful has an impact on balance as we tend to ‘stiffen up’ when we are anxious and this affects our balance.

Interventions

  • Aim to break the cycle of fear of falling .
  • Complete a Comprehensive Multifactorial Falls Risk Assessment to address and minimise falls risks.
  • Use the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES-I), or the Short FES-I, assessment to establish fear of falling and use strategies to reduce/minimise fear as appropriate (e.g. reassurance, informing the person on the benefits of staying mobile, Back on Feet Risk Assessment).
  • If indicated, screen for anxiety using GAD-2 (Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment-2) with appropriate onward referral (see NHS E&N Herts Frailty Pathway). add.
  • Motivate the person by reassuring them, being kind, taking your time, being calm yourself and explaining the benefits
  • Remember to set small SMART goals.
  • DO MORE, BUT DO SAFELY, so the person’s confidence increases rather than decreases.
  • Make time to PRACTISE with 3 members of staff and a wheelchair behind (when you are AT ALL UNSURE of a person’s ability to safely stand/mobilise (See Back on Feet Risk Assessment).