How to Address the 5 Reasons Why Seniors Fall
We all know someone who has hurt themselves in a fall. Falls are the leading cause of injury in Canadians seniors, and 1 out of 3 Albertans over 65 fall at least once a year.
Why do seniors fall? We know the risk increases with age, and that certain things make you more susceptible to falling. These factors are the key to preventing falls in seniors.
By looking at the common reasons why seniors fall, caregivers and seniors can work together to prevent falls from happening.
Reasons Why Seniors Fall
There are often multiple contributing factors when a senior suffers a fall.
On the surface, the main cause of the fall may appear to be the environment: a slippery sidewalk, a step without handrails, or a tripping hazard left carelessly on the floor. But there’s usually more to it than that.
For various reasons, seniors may have poor balance, vision loss, or lower bone and muscle strength. These conditions not only increase the risk of falling but the potential for injury as well.
Identifying and addressing these factors, along with ensuring a safe environment, are key to protecting yourself or your loved ones from falling.
1. Vision Loss
A person’s vision can change throughout their life. There are health conditions that cause vision loss, like glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration. But even seniors who don’t have a condition may notice a gradual decline in their vision over time.
As time goes on, many people find themselves less able to see in the dark, adjust to changes in light, or judge the distance between objects like they used to. The change can happen so gradually that it’s hardly noticeable. However, declining vision is a big reason why seniors fall, especially when it comes to stairs or dimly-lit areas.
Once over 65, seniors should see an optometrist for a comprehensive eye exam each year. Keeping those eyeglasses up-to-date will reduce the risk of an accident.
2. Bone Density and Muscle Strength
Physical deterioration is another reason why seniors fall. Most seniors don’t get nearly enough exercise to build and maintain muscular strength, and many also suffer the loss of bone density.
The best defence? Proper nutrition and regular exercise. Both are key ingredients in improving physical strength, resistance, and balance.
Finding Balance Alberta, a provincial program that promotes safe and independent senior living recommends 30 or more minutes of physical activity at least five days a week. Beginners can start slow and add a few minutes each day.
As for nutrition, a doctor or dietician can help to identify areas where your diet needs improvement.
3. Fall Hazards at Home
Do you find yourself stepping over wires in the living room and boxes in the basement? That’s a problem. Having a house full of clutter can be hazardous for anyone, but especially so for seniors who are already susceptible to falls.
Part of preventing falls is making the home tidy and accessible. There should be a clear pathway to, from, and within each room; from the front door to the kitchen, the fridge to the stove, and so on. Each room should have adequate lighting at all times of the day.
It may be necessary to modify certain areas to make them safer. For example, if the senior has poor balance, install well-anchored grab bars by the toilet and non-stick flooring in the shower.
These may be simple changes, but they can make a world of difference.
4. Medications
All medication comes with possible side effects. Some prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and vitamins increase the chance of falling. In fact, seniors who take more than 3-4 medications are at a higher risk of falls.
Medication is an issue with no simple answer. When there are multiple medications at play, it’s not always easy to pinpoint how they will interact. And of course, seniors should never change how they take medications without a doctor’s instructions.
What you can do is be proactive in reviewing your medications with your doctor or pharmacist at least once a year. Ask what each medication is for, whether they can cause dizziness, drowsiness or blurred vision, and how you should respond to the possible side effects. Knowing this, you can take greater precautions to prevent falls from happening.
