Prevention Of Falls
by The National Council On Aging
Did you know that 1 in 3 older Americans falls every year? Falls are the leading cause of
both fatal and nonfatal injuries for people aged 65+. Falls can result in hip fractures, broken bones, and head injuries. And even falls without a major injury can cause an older adult to become fearful or depressed.
If you have an aging parent, grandparent, or neighbor in your life, helping them reduce their
risk of falling is a great way to help them stay healthy and independent as long as possible.
Here are some common factors that can lead to a fall:
Balance and gait
As we age, most of us lose some coordination, flexibility, and balance—primarily
through inactivity, making it easier to fall.
Vision
In the aging eye, less light reaches the retina—making contrasting edges, tripping
hazards, and obstacles harder to see.
Medications
Some prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can cause dizziness, dehydration, or interactions with each other that can lead to a fall.
Environment
Most seniors have lived in their homes for a long time and have never thought about simple modifications that might keep it safer as they age.
Chronic conditions
More than 90% of older adults have at least one chronic condition like diabetes, stroke, or arthritis. Often, these increase the risk of falling because they result in lost function, inactivity, depression, pain, or multiple medications.
Here are six easy steps you can take to help your older loved one reduce their risk of a fall:
1. Enlist their support in taking simple steps to stay safe.
Ask your older loved ones if they’re concerned about falling. Many older adults recognize that falling is a risk, but they believe it won’t happen to them.
2. Discuss their current health conditions.
Find out if your older loved one is experiencing any problems with managing their own health. Make sure they’re taking advantage of the preventive benefits offered under Medicare, such as the Annual Wellness visit.
3. Ask about their last eye checkup.
If your older loved one wears glasses, make sure they have a current prescription and
they’re using the glasses as advised by their eye doctor.
4. Notice if they’re holding onto walls, furniture, or someone else when walking or if
they appear to have difficulty walking or arising from a chair.
A trained physical therapist can help your older loved one improve their balance, strength, and gait through exercise.
5. Talk about their medications.
If your older loved one is having a hard time keeping track of medicines or is
experiencing side effects, encourage them to discuss their concerns with their doctor
and pharmacist.
6. Do a walk-through safety assessment of their home.
There are many simple and inexpensive ways to make a home safer such as installing proper lighting, stair rails, shower seats, hand-held shower heads, and tub/shower bars.
If we partner together, we can prevent falls. To learn more about falls prevention, please visit www.ncoa.org/FallsPrevention.
