BioPsychoSocial Assessment Tools for the Elderly - Assessment Summary Sheet Test: Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (SAFFE) Year: 1998 Domain: Biological Assessment Tool Category: Physical Functioning/ADLs Variations/Translations: N/A Setting: Clinical Method of Delivery: Administered by a clinician/professional. Description: The SAFFE assesses in elderly individuals their level of activity restriction, self reported and performance based ability tests, and quality of life. The tool attempts to measure fear of falling in the elderly by taking several factors into account instead of solely focusing on self-efficacy or on a single item operationalization of fear of falling. SAFFE also addresses the negative consequences to fear of falling (eg. activity restriction and well-being). Scoring/Interpretation: SAFFE has 11 items representing ADLs, mobility, and social activities. For each activity, there are questions asking personal information about the activity. Responses are rated with three or four points Likert scales. Higher scores indicate a greater fear of falling. Time to Administer: Less than 10 minutes. Availability: On the Brandeis University website (see link below). Software: N/A Website: http://www.brandeis.edu/projects/lifespan/SAFFE.pdf Quantitative/Qualitative: Quantitative Validity (Quantitative): N/A Reliability (Quantitative): Reliability coefficients range from .63-.88. References: Lachman, M. E., Howland, J., Tennstedt, S., Jette, A., Assmann, S., & Peterson, E. W. (1998). Fear of falling and activity restriction: The Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (SAFFE). Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological and Social Sciences, 53, 43-50. Li, F., Fisher, K. J., Harmer, P., McAuley, E., & Wilson, N. L. (2003). Fear of falling in elderly persons: Association with falls, functional ability, and quality of life. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological and Social Sciences, 58, 283-290. Comments: This tool does not force participants to give hypothetical responses for activities they do not perform.