Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Falls and Fear of falling are common in old age. Although the adverse consequences of falls and FOF were studied extensively, most studies had some methodological problems and weaknesses. The International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS) is an international study over time to understand factors that influence mobility of community-dwelling senior citizens in five sites: Canada (Kingston & Saint-Hyacinthe), Albania (Tirana), Colombia (Manizales) and Brazil (Natal). Drawing on longitudinal data from IMIAS and using validated and standardized tools in all study sites, we will prepare a workshop at an international congress to provide an overview of recent research to improve our understanding of factors associated with falls and fear of falling at an old age in diverse locations, and investigate if fear of falling can independently lead to functional disability over time. The research findings that we will present have clinical and policy implications and could improve senior citizens' mobility and, ultimately, their integration and participation in local communities.