According to the National Council on Aging statistics, every 11 seconds an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall. The council also states that 1 in 3 seniors, about 12 million, fall each year in the United States. More stats reveal that over 1/2 of all falls occur at home. The risk of falling increases with age, and is more common among women than men. Indeed, falls are the leading cause of deaths from injury among those who are 65 and older.
Having just concluded a 3 Part discussion on osteoporosis, I thought it only fitting, therefore, to follow up with info on the prevention of those hazardous and injury-causing senior falls. Centegra Health System, in its Osteoporosis Overview, explains that “Falls can increase the likelihood of fracturing a bone in the hip, wrist, spine, or other part of the skeleton.” In addition to the environmental (outdoor and indoor) factors which I will list below, impaired balance or vision, chronic mental or physical functioning diseases, and meds such as antidepressants and sedatives, can also play an important role in the occurrence of falls. Noteworthy here is advice from the health care system to the osteoporosis patient: Consult your physician when you become aware of physical changes that might alter your balance or gait. Below are Centegra’s tips to help seniors remove environmental factors that can lead to falls.
Outdoors:
1. Use a cane (three-pronged bottom highly recommended) or walker for added stability.
2. For good traction, wear rubber-soled shoes.
3. When sidewalks are slippery, walk on grass where possible. Slow down in your walk. ***My first thoracic vertebrae compression was caused by black ice on stone pavers just outside my front door.
4. In winter, sprinkle salt or kitty litter on slippery sidewalks.
5. Be cautious of highly polished floors that can become dangerous when wet.
6. In areas of high traffic in your house, use plastic or carpet runners where possible.
Indoors:
1. Try to keep your home’s rooms free of clutter, especially on the floors.
2. Keep floor surfaces smooth but not slippery.
3. Low-heeled shoes with good support are highly recommended everywhere you go.
4. Though this may seem difficult to do, it is highly recommended that you avoid walking in socks, stockings, even slippers at home.
5. Carpets and area rugs should have skid-proof backing or be tacked and adhered to the floor.
6. All stairwells should be well lit and have hand rails on both sides.
7. Bathroom showers, tubs, and toilets need the installation of grab bars.
8. Use a rubber mat on the surface of your shower or tub.
9. Keep a flashlight (with operating batteries) at all times next to your bed.
10. For difficult to reach areas, use a step stool with a handrail and wide steps.
11. Add ceiling fixtures for better lighting in rooms lit by lamps.
12. Cordless phones (kept alongside you throughout the day) prevent needless falls caused by rushing to answer phones with cords.
***Use these cordless ones or other emergency devices to call for medical assistance in case of a damaging fall.
