This infographic of Euro-American Connections & Homecare details some of the factors that can cause older adults to fall.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the number one cause of injuries in adults aged 65 and above. Each year, one in four elder Americans suffer from a fall; however, less than half tell their doctors.
Age is one of the factors for falls, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Therefore, older people have the highest risk of death or injury from a fall. Adults with vision impairment more than double the risk.
Accordingly, the physical changes associated with aging may have a greater effect on a person's risk of falling than other factors such as environmental hazards and hazardous situations. The physiological changes of a person also affect their sensory and cognitive abilities. A decline in the sensory and cognitive capabilities of a person can contribute to the increase in chances of fall risks
The physical changes of a person can also affect their endurance and strength as their physical fitness declines. As several older adults become less active in their later years, there is a decline in physical activity engagement, including exercising. It reduces their muscle strength, decreases bone mass, degrades balance and coordination, and affects flexibility. And not being able to do exercises or other activities increases fall risks.
Elder adults diagnosed with a chronic disease may also suffer the same impairments associated with aging. Some older people suffering from impaired vision or at risk of vision impairment often have chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke can also have an increased risk of falling. Consequently, adults with health conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and arthritis, can experience poor grip strength, balance disorders, and cognitive impairments, increasing their chances of falling.
Adults with health conditions often use drugs, such as antihypertensive, diuretic, and some heart medications, that may lower blood pressure. Other medicines like opioids, antianxiety, and antidepressant drugs, may affect a person's attention. Medications that have these effects can increase the risk of a fall. Accordingly, taking multiple prescriptions may increase the risk of falling, especially when there is an interaction between the medicines.
Moreover, a big percentage of falls in the elderly population is caused by environmental hazards, such as poor lighting, slippery floors, throw rugs, and clutter. The lack of safety equipment like handrails on stairs, grab bars in the bathroom, in a home can also threaten seniors' safety.
The CDC has indicated that a combination of risk factors causes most falls. Falls in older adults can cause hip fractures and head injuries. Nevertheless, non-life-threatening damage caused by a fall may still have a harsh long-term consequence for older adults as their bodies usually are not able to recover fully.
A fall can be prevented through different strategies, including those that may reduce the risk factors. Decluttering items considered as environmental hazards in key areas inside the house can be one of the most efficient ways of avoiding falls. Tacking away electrical or extension cords over the doorway or beneath the floor coverings can prevent a person from tripping over the cables, lessening the chances of falls. Improving the lighting in the house, either by adding more lights or changing bulbs with brighter lights, can prevent a person from slipping. Installing safety equipment, such as bed railings, ramps for entryways with steps, and lift chairs, can help seniors navigate independently.
It is inevitable for the physical conditions of older adults to decline as they age. However, there are ways to slow down the progression of physiological changes in adults. Doing mild exercises, including walking, can keep seniors' bodies active and improve their strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance. It can also strengthen their bones, lessening the possibility of falling. Doing brain activities that can enhance the mind and improve memory also avoids the fast decline in seniors' cognitive abilities.
According to WHO, falls can also be prevented through clinical interventions. It can help identify risk factors, such as medication review and modification, low blood pressure, supplementation of vitamin D and calcium, and treatment of correctable visual impairments. This infographic of Euro-American Connections & Homecare details some of the factors that can cause older adults to fall.
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