Fall risk, fall awareness, and social support among 825 community—dwelling older adults with functional limitations: a cross—sectional study

Purpose This study aimed to examine the level of fall risk and its associations with fall awareness and social support among community-dwelling older adults with functional limitations. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to October 2025. Using cluster sampling, 825 older adults with functional limitations were recruited from four communities in Chengdu, China. Fall risk was assessed using the Modified Falls Risk for Older People in the Community Assessment (MFROP-com), fall awareness was measured with the Self-awareness of Falls in Elderly Scale (SAFE), and social support was evaluated via the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression. Results Participants exhibited a high fall risk (mean score 26.51 ± 10.95). The regression model explained a significant proportion of variance in fall risk (Adjusted R 2 = 0.536, p < 0.001). Higher fall awareness (B = −0.463, β = −0.565, p < 0.001) and greater social support (B = −0.422, β = −0.190, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of lower fall risk. Advanced age, unmarried, living alone, and having sleep disorders were associated with increased risk ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Fall awareness and social support were identified as key modifiable factors associated with reduced fall risk among community-dwelling older adults with functional limitations. Fall prevention programs should focus on enhancing risk perception and strengthening social support networks for this population.