Lee S, et al. - Researchers used survey data gathered from a multiregional study carried out in 2007 that surveyed residents in 68 assisted living facilities in Houston, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; and Seattle, Washington on 1,043 total individuals in order to recognize perceived environmental factors and outdoor exposure correlated with fear of outdoor falling among assisted living residents aged 65 or older stratified by the amount of time spent outdoors. In their assisted living community, nearly 31% of the individuals reported having concerned about falling while using the outdoor areas. Following adjustment for individual factors (ie, age, sex, health condition, fall history, vision problems, mobility aids), appropriately designed walkways, comfort levels in using outdoor areas, and the number of outdoor usages were correlated with a reduced fear of outdoor falling. Hence, in order to reduce the fear of outdoor falling, improved walkways and comfort levels when using outdoor areas, as well as the amount of time spent outdoors, would be effective, which could help encourage a healthy lifestyle among assisted living residents.