Each year, thousands of older Americans fall at home. Many are seriously injured or disabled. Here are some tips to prevent falls in the elderly population.
What should I know about falls?
One in three adults age 65 and older falls each year. While not all falls lead to injuries, some can result in life-changing and devastating consequences. A major fall can also increase your direct and indirect medical costs.
If I fall, what can be the consequences?
Falls can result in loss of your independence and substantially affect your quality of life. Major medical consequences of a fall include fractures of the hip and spine, traumatic brain injuries, brain hemorrhage and death. Minor medical consequences of a fall include lacerations and soft-tissue injuries. Both major and minor falls result in a period of immobility that can lead to muscle weakness and de-conditioning. Falls can also lower your confidence and result in developing the fear of falling, which can increase your future risk of falling.
When should I seek help?
If you fall more than twice in a six-month period, an evaluation for causes should be undertaken. Nevertheless, if you are a senior, any fall should be considered serious, whether it leads to injury or not.
Who is at risk for falling?
Most falls have more than one underlying cause. You may be at risk for falling if you have one or more of the following causes: age greater than 75, balance and walking problems, reduced muscle strength, poor vision (cataracts, glaucoma, wearing wrong glasses), medication intake (sedatives, antihypertensives, antidepressants), musculoskeletal problems (osteoporosis, arthritis, muscle stiffness), neurological problems (stroke, Parkinson's disease), cardiovascular problems, depression, dementia and risk-taking behaviors. Environmental hazards leading to falls include slippery floors, poor lighting, rugs and stairs.
Who should I consult to have a risk assessment?
You can consult your physician, who will perform a physical exam to diagnose any underlying causes leading to falls. You can also consult a physical therapist and an occupational therapist. Physical therapists are professionals who can assess your risk for falling. They can also design individualized exercises to improve your balance and coordination. Occupational therapists can assess your safety by identifying environmental risk factors. They can recommend appropriate actions to improve safety and modify your daily activities to prevent falls.
Can I do anything to prevent falls?
You can remember the pneumonic "Elder EMS" for the four things that you can do to prevent falls.
Elder - Exercise regularly. Strengthening, balance and coordination exercises can prevent your risk for falls. Tai chi, brisk walks, swimming and dance are great forms of exercise, among others.
E - Eyes. Have your vision checked regularly. You may be wearing the wrong glasses or have cataracts or glaucoma, leading to poor vision that can increase your chances of falling.
M - Medications. Have your medications reviewed by your pharmacist or physician. Most medications have side effects like drowsiness and light headedness that increase your chances of falling.
S - Safety. Make sure your environment is safe. At home, you can do some basic modifications to make your living environment safer. For example, you can improve your home lighting; install grab bars in showers; use nonskid shower mats; keep your doorway, hallway and entry free from clutter; avoid wearing slippers; and remove any loose throw rugs or secure them with double-sided tape.
Ask UNF uses the expertise of University of North Florida faculty and staff. Chitra Balasubramanian is a physical therapy professor at UNF. For questions regarding this topic, e-mail firstname.lastname@example.org.