Leading Causes of Falls in the Elderly - What Can Be Done?

Posted by Donna Mae Scheib on January 24, 2017

Leading Causes of Falls in the Elderly – What Can Be Done?

Did you know that falls are the leading cause of injury and death among the elderly? Statistics reveal that one out of every three seniors falls every year. And the risk of falls increases proportionately with age; over half of those who are 80-years-old fall annually. In fact, more than 1.6 million seniors in the U.S. were treated in emergency rooms for fall-related injuries last year alone.

What are some of the reasons behind these falls?

• Environmental Hazards – Poor lighting, loose carpets, and lack of safety equipment account for 33% of annual falls for the elderly population.
• Impaired Vision – Vision limitations increase with age and are often caused by glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
• Lack of Physical Activity – Little movement and exercise results in less flexibility, loss of balance, and decreased bone mass and muscle tone. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, most older people can exercise to some extent which lowers the chances of injury and offers other substantial health benefits.
• Medications – Taking multiple medications, sedatives, anti-depressants, and anti-psychotic drugs can increase the risk of falling. The average older adult takes five or more prescription drugs each day in addition to various over-the-counter medications. These may cause side effects and negative/life-threatening conditions (one of them being an increased risk of falls).
• Sicknesses and Diseases – Various health conditions cause weakness in the extremities which often leads to poor grip strength and balance disorders. Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease make it difficult for the brain to control the body. Arthritis effects half of the U.S.’s population over 65; it presents symptoms of joint pain leading to problems with “normal” movement.
• Surgeries – Surgeries (e.g. knee or hip replacement) impact the elderly person’s strength and comfort level, often causing them to be less mobile and less agile.

What measures can be taken to prevent falls?

• Making the Residence Safer – There are many suggestions to consider:
• Adding a stairway handrail that extends beyond the first and last steps of a stairs
• Advising the senior to wear non-slip shoes or slippers opposed to socks
• Being conscious of long electrical cords that trail across the floor
• Eliminating excessive furniture, especially pieces with sharp corners
• Installing safety bars, grab bars, or handrails in the shower/bath
• Keeping commonly used objects and clothing in easy to reach spots
• Making the lighting brighter and using motion-sensitive lights when the person enters a room; placing nightlights in each room
• Not allowing throw rugs that slip on the floor
• Placing the furniture in strategic areas of the residence so the elderly person can hold on to something as they move about
• Putting no-stick tape on the floor in the shower/tub
• Using a grasping tool opposed to a stepstool/ladder to reach items that are needed; removing access to stepstools/ladders
• Using a stool riser seat for the toilet to make it easier to get on and off
• Wiping up spills immediately to avoid slipping
• Using Products to Enhance Stability – There are many suggestions to consider:
• Anti-slip mats can be installed on the shower/bath floor. This material prevents slipping and helps with overall stability.
• Canes and walkers offer either a rubber or other traction on the bottom to help with steadying the feet of the senior. They allow the senior to rest as they walk and also help with getting up out of a chair.
• Fall mats, typically cushioned floor mats of various 1-2 inch widths, can be placed where a person is most likely to be injured from a fall. Common areas include on hard floors by the side of a bed, near a toilet, or in front of where the person usually sits.
• Grab bars help the senior hold on to something for added balance. Bathrooms are an ideal place for grab bars to help the senior use the toilet or the shower/bath safely.
• Lift swings are used when the person is unable to move themselves, typically to get the individual in and out of a bed, wheelchair, or chair. Lift swings are utilized if the individual’s weight prevents them from be transferred by a caregiver, thus preventing injury to the caregiver as well.
• Sensors work well for the toilet, a chair, or the bed. The pads electronically detect the lack of pressure which then sends an electronic signal to the monitor, setting off an alarm. There are also pads and monitors that detect and sound an alarm if a person steps on the pad. This device is often used alongside a bed, in a hallway, or in front of a chair where the person is seated.
• A shower chair helps the senior rest while taking a shower. Whereas a transfer bench provides stability and helps the caregiver move the senior in and out of the tub safely and more easily.
• Socks, shoes, and slippers that are properly fitted, low-heeled, and made of non-slip soles provide added comfort and safety. Many are available in non-skid treads on the bottom to reduce slipping.
• Adding a stairway handrail that extends beyond the first and last steps of a stairs helps the senior navigate and gain better balance when moving vertically.

In Summary

Despite the fact that falls are a leading cause of injury for the elderly population, there are many safety precautions to take. Additionally, there are numerous products readily available, many of which are not too costly, that can help with keeping the senior safer from falls. Think about what you can do to help prevent falls for the elderly and reduce the statistics one person at a time