As people get older, they are more susceptible to falling and getting injured. While falls are common among this population, there are steps you can take to prevent falls.
Falls in the elderly can cause serious injuries that can impact an older person’s ability to continue living independently. By understanding the reason falls happen, it is easier to make a plan to prevent them.
Fall prevention must be a priority in the home of every person who is older than 65. It all starts with taking good care of your body and health.
What Do the Statistics Say About the Elderly and Falling?
Every year, millions of older adults fall down and get injured. The CDC states the chances of older adults falling is one in four. As common as falling is, most never tell their primary care doctors about it.
That’s unfortunate because seniors who fall have twice the risk of falling again. Fear of falling can generate a cycle where a person falls and becomes afraid, so they stop doing physical activities they enjoy out of fear it will happen again. The lack of physical activity increases their risk of falling again. The cycle repeats itself over and over.
The following statistics demonstrate the seriousness of falls within the senior population:
- One in five falls results in a serious injury such as a head injury or a broken bone.
- Over 3 million people age 65 or older are admitted to an emergency room because they fell and got hurt.
- Each year, over 800,000 people are admitted to hospitals due to falling, often with bone fractures or head injuries.
- At least 300,000 older adults sustain hip fractures from falling and are admitted to the hospital.
- Falling sideways causes 95% of hip fractures.
- Most traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are the result of falling.
- The total cost for nonfatal falls is nearly $50 billion.
- Medicare and Medicaid pay for 75% of the costs of injuries due to falls.
When an older person sustains an injury due to a fall, it’s harder to participate in their normal activities, and they experience a lot of pain. Falls make it hard to get around, do the things they enjoy, and live independently.
Why Are Older Adults More Susceptible to Falling Than Younger People?
To aid in fall prevention, it’s important to look at the reasons older adults fall and injure themselves.
Fortunately, studies have been done that tell us the specific reasons older adults fall, and most of them are related to age.
The following issues increase the rate of falling:
- Poor vision
- Reduced balance and coordination
- Weakness in the lower body
- Foot pain
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Dementia
- Alzheimer’s
- Side effects from medications that impact balance and coordination
- Wearing non-supportive shoes
- Tripping hazards at home
The more risk factors a person has, the more susceptible they are to fall.
7 Simple Tips to Prevent Falling in Older Adults
Accidents that result in falls happen once in a while, but they shouldn’t be happening on a regular basis. Falls won’t happen as often when you take good care of your body and health. Also, having a caregiver that can help the senior with the daily activities can avoid falls.
How can falling be prevented?
The following 7 simple tips to prevent falling will get you on your way to fall prevention, and they cost little or nothing to do.
- Exercise regularly. Plan an appropriate exercise program and stick with it. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and helps people be more flexible overall. Exercise also strengthens joints, tendons, and ligaments.
- Get your eyes and hearing tested. Small changes in hearing and sight can increase the risk of falling.
- Read the side effects of medications. Many medications can cause dizziness or sleepiness.
- Get plenty of rest. Sleep 7-8 hours at night to keep you alert to fall hazards.
- Limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol can affect diminish reflexes and cause loss of balance even when consumed in small quantities.
- Use a cane or walker if needed. When used appropriately, canes and walkers can help prevent falling for those who feel unsteady on their feet.
- Invest in proper footwear. Wet or icy surfaces can cause anyone to slip and fall. For older adults, it’s helpful to invest in shoes that have rubber soles with non-skid treads on them. When you need dress shoes, opt for lace-up shoes with non-skid soles or low-heeled shoes that have arch support. Avoid shoes that have soles that are either too thick or too thin.
The hazards of falling can exist in public or private settings. Wherever you are, the tips we’ve provided will help reduce fall risks. Injuries due to falling don’t have to take away your livelihood or your ability to get around.
At Medi-Cure, we have a lot more information to share with you about how to help seniors live happily, independently, and safely. Contact us today at (770) 755-1394, and let’s get started!
