FALLS ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF HOSPITALIZATION AMONG SENIORS. WHAT YOU CAN DO TO REDUCE YOUR RIS

Every year, millions of seniors 65 and older fall. In 2012, 2.4 million nonfatal falls were documented among older adults were treated in emergency departments and more than 722,000 of these patients were hospitalized.

Falls can always be serious incidents, no matter the person’s age, but in particular seniors are at risk for injuries like head and back trauma as well as fractures to hips and legs. So why is it that seniors are at greater risk for falls? What can you do to reduce your own risk?

WHY ARE SENIORS AT GREATER RISK FOR FALLS?

The numbers say that falls account for nearly one-third of unintended deaths in men and women ages 65 and older. The reason for this is that seniors typically have higher risk factors. These include:

• Increasing age
• Decreasing activity
• Reduced strength
• Poor balance
• Impaired vision
• Osteoporosis
• Dementia
• Pharmaceutical side-effects
• Other illnesses

As you can see, there are many risk factors that can contribute to a fall. Many of them are closely connected like:

age increase > leading to > strength decrease > leading to > activity decrease > leading to > poor balance

However, the good news is that many of these risk factors can be reduced by making simple changes in your environment, daily activity levels, and health monitoring.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO REDUCE YOUR OWN RISK FOR FALLS?

Reassess the layout of your home. Take a closer look at the layout of your daily living environment. Is it a one or two-story house? Is there adequate lighting? Is there carpet on the stairs? Are regularly used items within easy reach or are they stored up high in cabinets or shelves? Do you have a walk-in shower or tub? Are there any large furniture items that may need to be rearranged to reduce fall severity or possible head trauma?

Increase your activity. While we will all decline with age, engaging in regular exercise like walking, aerobics, or even regular gardening and yard work will naturally work your balance and fine motor skills. Performing balance-specific exercises are highly encouraged. Ask your physician to recommend some at-home activities or to put you touch with a knowledgeable Physical Therapist.

Monitor your health closely. Other factors leading to poor balance might have nothing to do with our legs at all. Impaired vision is usually the cause of poor balance. When vision is impaired it leads the person to becoming more tentative – making them unnatural in their movements. Unnatural movement can lead to hip and back problems that adversely affect balance.

Medications can also be a silent assassin to your balance. Many drugs interact and interfere with natural chemical processes, causing lethargy, dizziness, and vertigo. If you experience any adverse symptoms from your medication, be sure to contact your doctor right away.

FIND YOUR BALANCE AT PPG

You should see a physician at least once a year. If you notice problems with your vision, unexplained dizziness, or steadily decreasing energy levels, contact our staff here at PPG. We’ll help you become more proactive about your health and reduce your risk for future complications.

Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html
http://www.eldergym.com/elderly-balance.html

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/community-health/dvip/injury-prevention/injury-prevention-for-older-adults.html