All About Falls
To truly avoid falling, it helps to understand the specific risks in older adults. To walk normally, a human being needs freely moving joints and muscles that contract at the right time with the right strength. However, joints do stiffen, and muscles do weaken over time. Our neurologic feedback will also not remain the same. All these normal changes, along with other risk factors, increases the likelihood of falls.
The strongest independent risks associated with falls are physical weakness, gait and balance impairments, psychoactive medications, and previous falls. As you may imagine, dizziness and visual and cognitive impairment can play a role. Women and all adults over 80 are also more statistically prone to falling. Other factors include depression, osteoporosis, urinary incontinence, polypharmacy arthritis, diabetes, and undertreated pain, and polypharmacy (simultaneously using multiple drugs to treat a single issue.)
Medical Alert Systems with Fall Detection
Having a device that can alert someone when you fall without the press of a button can be life-saving.
Steps to Avoiding Slips
It is recommended that healthcare providers ask all patients over 65 about previous falls each year. Together, you and your healthcare professional can discuss fall prevention strategies. He or she may also recommend assistive devices or refer you to an occupational therapist.
Talk To Your Ophthalmologist
Go for your eye exam every year and update your lens prescriptions every time. If you have bifocals or progressive lenses, discuss whether to get a pair of glasses with only your distance prescription for outdoor activities.
Fall-Proof Your Home
Remove cords and other tripping hazards from walkways and secure loose rugs or floorboards. Use nonslip mats in your bathroom and remove low furniture like coffee tables, plant stands and magazine racks from high-traffic areas. Place night lights in bedrooms, hallways, and bathrooms, and everywhere you may walk in the dark. Make well-lit, unobscured paths to light switches and consider installing illuminated switches. Make sure that objects like clothes are always easy to reach so you can avoid obstacles.
Fall-Proof Your Lifestyle
Sometimes ensuring your future well-being means adjusting your habits even if you are still healthy and fully mobile. Don’t walk in dimly lit rooms or climb furniture or stepladders when no one is around. Avoid excessive drinking and make sure that your diet is adequate.
Reduce Your Risk From Head To Toe
Not only do high heels compromise your balance, but floppy slippers and even walking in only your socks can cause you to slip or trip. Put on shoes when you first get up in the morning. Make sure that all your footwear fits properly and offers sturdy support and non-skid soles.
Don’t Stop Moving
Remaining physically active not only makes you less likely to fall, but it also improves your chance of catching yourself before a fall. Walking, water aerobics, and tai chi can reduce the risk of falls by improving strength, balance, coordination and flexibility. If your physical condition allows, activities like jogging, dancing, hiking, climbing stairs, and weight training can build bone strength and slow progression of osteoporosis.
As you grow older, it’s important to manage your fear of falling as well as your actual risk. That means assessing your likelihood of falls and consciously mapping out prevention strategies. Particularly if you want to age in place at home, a sound safety and wellness plan are great steps to a long, active future in your home.
Facts On Falling
One out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or head trauma. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries.
Three million older adults are treated annually in emergency departments for fall injuries.
At least 300,000 seniors are hospitalized for hip fractures every year. Over 95% of these hip fractures are caused by falling, with 7% usually by falling sideways.
More than 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often because of a head injury or hip fracture.
Falls are a leading cause of injury and death in adults over the age of 65.
www.aginginplace.org