In 2021, there were over 38,000 deaths from falls for those 65 years old and older, according to the CDC. There were also almost three million emergency room visits from elderly falls. Fortunately, for seniors who wish to remain independent, preventing elderly falls is possible by taking the appropriate steps to help prevent falls and related injuries.
Contact Haven Health to learn about our skilled nursing facilities.
Common Causes of Falls in the Elderly
There are many different causes for falls in the elderly, including:
- Safety hazards in the home
- Eyesight problems
- Hearing problems
- Medical conditions
- Cognitive impairments
- Dementia
- Alzheimer’s
- Balance and gait problems
- Low blood pressure problems
- Dizzy spells
- Loss of muscle mass/strength
- Mobility issues
- Confusion
- Wearing shoes or socks without anti-slip features
- Not using assistive devices when needed
- Not wearing the right glasses
How To Identify Fall Risks in Your Home
Looking for potential fall risks in your home is easy by making a list and going room by room. Some of the more common elderly fall risks are:
- Unsecured and loose rugs
- Damaged flooring and carpeting
- Excess clutter, such as boxes, newspapers, and laundry on the floor
- Electrical cords and phone cords
- Excess furniture in high-traffic areas
- Spills, grease, and food not cleaned up
- Using slippery floor polishes and cleaning products
- Wet floors that have not fully dried
- No grab bars or non-slip pads in the shower or bathtub
- Insufficient lighting in different areas that make it hard to see
The Role of Exercise in Preventing Falls
Regular exercise is essential in helping prevent falls in the elderly by:
- Increasing the strength and flexibility of the muscles
- Helping you stay more active and for longer periods
- Helping improve your mobility and balance
Several exercises should be learned to ensure the entire body is properly exercised, such as:
- Knee curls
- Balancing exercises
- Leg extensions
- Toe stands
- Stretching exercises
Importance of Regular Vision and Hearing Checks
Vision changes can cause depth perception issues, which can lead to falls. It is recommended to have your eyes checked annually to identify vision changes.
Additionally, if you wear progressive or bifocal glasses, you should remove these when using stairs. The curvature of the lenses can make it more difficult to judge how close or far away the stairs are and could lead to a fall. When walking or doing activities that do not require up-close vision, you should consider getting a pair of glasses just for distance for the same reason.
Hearing checks are important because the ears help with balance. As we age, hearing loss can cause us to turn our heads faster, making the receptors in the inner ear responsible for balance to cause us to become dizzy and off balance. This can lead to falls and injuries. Hearing aids can help correct hearing loss and reduce the risk of falls.
How To Encourage Elderly Loved Ones To Stay Active
There are different ways you can encourage your elderly loved ones to stay active, such as:
- Have them take their grandchildren for a walk
- Get them a dog, so they will have to walk the dog
- Include them in family activities, like biking or swimming
- Find physical activities they enjoy, like golfing, tennis, or gardening
- Find free exercise classes at the local senior center or fitness center
- Take them on a hike
- Participate with them in community walks
- Help them find senior intramural sports leagues
The Impact of Nutrition on Balance and Mobility
Many seniors do not eat as much food as they did when they were younger. They may not be getting the nutrients and vitamins they need to help support bone health and muscle mass, movement, and strength, all essential for mobility.
Not getting the right nutrients and vitamins can also lead to dizzy spells from low blood pressure and low sugar levels. This can cause balancing issues, resulting in increased risks of falls.
How to Properly Address a Fall When It Happens
There are several steps to follow when a fall occurs to properly address the situation:
- Determine if there are any serious injuries: If you are in severe pain or are bleeding, call 911 for assistance.
- Get up off the floor: If you are not injured, roll onto your side and then your stomach so you can push yourself up into a crawling position. If you cannot stand up unassisted, crawl over to a chair or table you can use for support to pull yourself up.
- Follow up with your doctor: If you did not slip, trip, or fall over a rug or other object, you should make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible. They can help determine if any medical, vision, or hearing issues contributed to the fall.
- Get help while healing: If you broke a hip or other bones, you will want help around the house so you do not fall again. You may want to move into a skilled nursing facility until you fully heal since you also receive rehabilitation and strengthening exercises to prevent future falls.
- Take steps to prevent future falls: If you have not already identified and addressed fall risks in your home, you will want to do it now.
- Inform your family of the fall: You should inform them of your fall, why it occurred, and what is being done to prevent future falls.
The Psychological Effects of Falls on Seniors
Seniors can experience several psychological effects after a fall, including:
- Fear and anxiety: Seniors can become fearful and anxious about walking and moving, leading to decreased physical activity.
- Depression: Some people can become depressed after a fall. They can feel discouraged, which can lead to isolation and loneliness.
- Loss of independence: When injuries occur from a fall, seniors can become angry, frustrated, and feel ashamed, guilty, and embarrassed because they feel like they have lost their independence.
- PTSD: When the fall is traumatic for the senior, it can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Tips for Caregivers and Family Members in Managing Fall Risks
One of the best fall prevention tips is to use a home safety checklist. Ask your elderly loved ones different questions on this checklist. You should also do a home assessment to identify any potential fall hazards and take steps to resolve them. Additionally, consider having grab bars and railings installed in the home as part of fall prevention.
Get Help Recovering From Fall Injuries at Haven Health
After a fall that resulted in a broken hip or other injuries, recover in comfort at Haven Health. Our skilled nursing facility helps seniors regain their independence and freedom after a fall. You should also consider moving into our assisted living facility, where on-site help is available 24/7.
Contact Haven Health today for further information about our facilities.
Sources:
About Older Adult Fall Prevention. (2024).
Footit-Tank, J. (2024). How Vision and Hearing Can Affect Fall Prevention.