June 5, 2024

What happens after you… Fall down the rabbit hole;

Once you knew how to stand up. It was really no challenge.

Now there appears to be some doubt… After all, falling down is no joke,

when up is and when down is broke.

Basophobia = Baso or step+ phobia or fear

• Fear of falling affects about 40% of older adults.
• Fear of falling has an impact on quality of life and self-confidence, and often leads to a cycle that can lead to even greater risk of falling.

A 2020 study showed that when individuals are constantly afraid of falling, the central nervous system makes them more cautious. However, this extra caution may not be beneficial, as it may ultimately increase their risk of falling.

There is a Vicious Cycle here:

1. Fall down
2. Become overly cautious
3. Avoid walking
4. Get weaker over time

The sense of panic and anxiety leads people to avoid the people or situations that cause their phobias. With fear of falling, this can mean people are less

active. Even tasks like grocery shopping become difficult and are associated with a fear of falling.

What is Good Balance?

Staying on your feet requires:

• Strength
• Managed pain
• Confidence
• Practice
• Good eyesight
• Alertness and attention

How does aging affect your balance and ability to stay on your feet? 

Aging and the onset of neurological diseases affect how people handle perceived or real threats. Fear of falling causes them to shift their body weight incorrectly, leading to almost half of all falls in older adults. Also increased weakness; impaired eyesight; general fatigue, body pain.

Other Risk Factors:

Many physical and environmental conditions can cause people to worry excessively about falling. Even loneliness and the death of a partner, or the simple concern about whether help is near or far away when needed, can increase fear of falling. These risk factors include:

• Neurological disorders and cognitive changes
• Mobility, balance, and walking difficulties
• Previous episodes of falls, such as a knee injury
• At least one underlying chronic illness (increasing with more co-occurring diseases)
• Obesity and excessive weight
• Living in a neighborhood with hazards, like broken sidewalks or in-home steps
• Hearing loss
• Medication use including drugs to treat high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as sedatives and tranquilizers

What Can You Do About It?

1. Believe it is possible to improve.
2. Get some good help.
3. Take it one step at a time! (Pun intended)

Check out our newsletter from 3/20/24: Pathway to Progress - Walking

Who Can Help?

Physical Therapists: Specialists who can assist with overcoming the fear of falling. Learn more at Physio-Pedia.

Consider the Otago Balance Program, a highly effective home-based multifactorial falls prevention program delivered by physical therapists. Learn more at the National Council on Aging.

This program focuses on:

1. Muscle Strengthening
2. Balance Training
3. Building Self-efficacy
4. Involving Care Partner and Significant Others

— Susan Musicant, DPT,

Injury Prevention Coordinator at DayBreak

With your contribution, we can continue to provide vital resources and assistance to elders and caregivers who need it most. Join us in making a meaningful impact and empowering families throughout Alameda County.

We're here to help. If you know an elder in need of our services, or a family caregiver in need of support, please encourage them to contact us at:

510-834-8314