Exploring physical and social environmental barriers and facilitators that affect older adults' fear of falling: A sample funding proposal

Fear of falling (FOF) has been described as "a potential health problem of equal importance to a fall” (Zilistra, Van Haastregt, Van Eijk, Van Rossum, Stalenhoef & Kempen, 2007, p.304). Therefore, the focus of the proposed study is to conduct a comprehensive investigation of FOF amongst community-dwelling older adults focusing on physical environment and social support factors. A mixed methods approach will be used and includes: SWEAT-R, an environmental audit, to analyze 3 urban and 3 suburban neighbourhoods, a four part survey to be completed by older adults living in these neighbourhoods, and, Photovoice, a participatory tool with a discussion group component. The grant proposal, found in Chapter 5, will follow the guidelines of the CIHR Project Scheme: 2016 1st Live Pilot grant. The primary objective of the proposed study is to uncover what factors of the physical environment and social supports are linked to FOF among community-dwelling older adults.