Why You Should Prevent Falls In Edlerly

How many times have you heard or come across a grandparent or uncle or aunt who had a fall in the bathroom or someplace and had to be hospitalized! Remember right?

You will be surprised to know the following facts:

• One out of three older adults (those aged 65 or older) falls each year but less than half talk to their healthcare providers about it.
• Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries.
• Older adults living in nursing homes and long-term institutions fall more often than community dwelling older adults
• Falls are also the leading cause of death due to injury in the elderly.  87% of all fractures in the elderly are due to falls.

Why do they fall?

Many conditions cause repeated falls.

1. Poor eyesight
2. Orthostatic hypotension, that is BP falls on standing and therefore blood supply to brain is cut off.
3. Parkinsonism
4. Stroke
5. General decrease in hand, body and mind coordination 

How can older adults prevent falls?

• Exercise regularly. It is important that the exercises focus on increasing leg strength and improving balance, and that they get more challenging over time. Tai Chi programs are especially good.
• Ask their doctor or pharmacist to review their medicines—both prescription and over-the counter—to identify medicines that may cause side effects or interactions such as dizziness or drowsiness.
• Have their eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year and update their eyeglasses to maximize their vision. Consider getting a pair with single vision distance lenses for some activities such as walking outside.
• Make their homes safer by reducing tripping hazards, adding grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower and next to the toilet, adding railings on both sides of stairways, and improving the lighting in their homes.
• Having attendant or support staff to help them in their daily activities also reduces falls. 
• Make city, parks, transport systems safer and elderly friendly

To lower their hip fracture risk, older adults can:

• Get adequate calcium and vitamin D—from food and/or from supplements.
• Do weight bearing exercise.
• Get screened and, if needed, treated for osteoporosis.