What should I know about senior fall risks?

One in 4 adults aged 65 and older fall each year. Not only that, but falls are the leading cause of injury death in this age group, with 800,000 patients being hospitalized each year. The most common culprits are head injuries and hip fractures, making for a scary situation.

Why do seniors fall?

1. Comorbidities: This means another disease or medical condition is present. If you have diabetes, for example, you may get numbness (neuropathy) in your feet. Weakness due to a stroke is another common cause.

2. Medications: Taking medications can come with side effects like dizziness, low blood pressure, drowsiness and more. Blood thinners also worsen injuries.

3. Sensory / physical changes: Worsening hearing, vision, balance, and strength can cause falls.

Four ways to prevent falls include:

1. Exercise regularly to improve your quality of life, strength and more.

2. Have your healthcare provider review your medications and be aware of any potential side effects.

3. Check your vision. Macular degeneration and other vision changes can increase fall risk.

4. Make your home safer.

Number 4 is especially important, and even small changes can make a huge difference. Most falls happen at night, so make sure pathways are clear to the bathroom. Remove any area rugs, and be sure to make your bathroom safe. Install grab bars or skid-resistant strips, or even put down a rubber mat. Avoid storage in a high cabinet, and keep kitchen items within easy reach. Also be aware of any pets getting underfoot - it's easy to trip over animals.

Fall risk is a huge reason why people move to senior living. Safety is key! Stay aware of the risk factors and how to make your home safe for years to come.

Topics discussed:

1. Fall prevention
2. Statistics on senior falls
3. 4 ways to prevent falls
4. Medication side effects
5. Reasons for increased fall risk
6. Bathroom safety for seniors

Takeaways from this episode:

1. If an older adult has 2 or more health problems, it may cause a 30% increase in fall risk.
2. Fear of falling can actually increase your risk! Seniors may limit their activities because of a fear of falling, which then reduces their mobility and physical fitness.
3. Most falls happen at night on the way to the bathroom, so be sure to plug in a nightlight, install grab bars and keep your path clear.
4. Keep everything within easy reach. If you need to get something out of a cabinet, use a wide-base, sturdy step stool.
5. Sit down while getting dressed. Many seniors fall due to worsening balance.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

How to Senior proof a home: https://www.loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/episode/218ae64a/046-how-to-senior-proof-a-home-on-a-budget

Fall prevention tips: https://www.loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/episode/35adf41e/105-replay-a-conversation-about-fall-prevention