Balance screening of an inner city older adult population

Objective: Until recently, studies of balance abilities were conducted on nursing home residents or volunteers in a clinical laboratory setting. Little is known about balance abilities of older adults living independently in large urban cities or who represent different ethnic backgrounds. The purpose of this study was to describe balance abilities in these individuals. Subjects: Older adults (n = 251) ranging in age from 60 to 95 years of age ((X) over bar = 74.3, SD = 7.7) participated. The majority of individuals (85.7%) were African-American or Hispanic. Procedure: The elders were screened for past and current medical conditions, activity level, and confidence in performing interactions with the environment (instrumental activities of daily living), and were administered the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go, and Reach in Four Directions Test. Results: The mode on the Berg Balance Scale was 53 (maxi mum 56). Mean on the Timed Up and Go was 15 seconds, and Reach in Four Directions Test was: forward, 8.9 in; backward, 4.6 in; right, 6.8 in; and left 6.6 in. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the frequency of performing activities and the comfort in performing activities without fear of falling significantly contributed to the scores on the balance tests. The results of this study can serve as norms for balance testing in urban-dwelling older adult populations from diverse backgrounds and may be useful for clinicians who are developing health promotion and fall prevention programs. (C) 1997 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.