The older adult and fear of crime.

1. Set within the context of Johnson's behavioral theory and Creditor's theory of excess disability, a review of current research shows that fear of crime can affect older adults' quality of life, ability to function independently, ability to socialize, and health and health-seeking behaviors. 2. Older adults particularly at risk for fear of crime and its negative sequelae tend to live in urban, high-crime areas, to live alone and not in senior housing, to be of a low socioeconomic status, and to be women. 3. As a part of the routine comprehensive assessment of the older adult, nurses must include an assessment for fear of crime. Whenever excess disability is present, the nurse should suspect fear of crime as a possible cause.