Avoiding and Dealing With Falls

We all know that the danger of falling increases as we grow older. It’s not just environmental factors, such as rough sidewalks, slippery stairs and bad lighting, that cause the problem. As we age we grow weaker and our mobility suffers. Something that would trip a younger person, who would them most probably recover their balance, can be painful, cause serious injury or even death in a much older person.

The total direct cost of all fall injuries for people in the United States aged 65 and older exceeded $19 billion in 2001. This is expected to increase as the population ages and may reach $54.9 billion by 2020 (adjusted to 2007 dollars). Direct costs are what patients and insurance companies pay for treating fall-related injuries, ranging from fees for hospital and nursing home care, doctors and other professional services to use of medical equipment, prescription drugs and changes made to the home. They do not account for the long-term effects of these injuries, such as disability, loss of independence, lost time from work and family duties, and reduced quality of life.

The statistics from the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on serious falls in the United States are worrying:

• One of every three people 65 years and older falls each year.
• Five times more older adults are hospitalized for fall-related injuries than they are for injuries from other causes.
• 20-30% of those who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries that reduce mobility and independence and increase the risk of premature death.

There isn’t a huge disparity between different ethnicities. However, the statistics regarding women versus men are eye-opening, as shown in the graph below. Women are almost three times more likely to be hospitalized as a result of a fall then men. They’re also more likely to fall and more likely to suffer fractures. The bad news for men is that they are 1.5 times more likely than women to die as a result of a fall.

Rather than try to be comprehensive here, we’ve added links to a set of authoritative checklists for identifying fall hazards on our Useful Sites page. However, here’s a quick primer:

• We can decrease the risk of a fall by making sure that our environment is clear of obstacles.
• Keep fit. A controlled exercise program can improve your balance and strengthen your muscles.
• Women are at additional risk of fractures because of osteoporosis, so they should consult with their physician in order to boost their calcium intake.
• All seniors should discuss this topic (risk of falling) with their physicians and opticians.Dizziness and weakness, especially in the legs and back, are particular cause for concern.
• Peripheral vision worsens as we age, so it’s particularly important to make sure that all living spaces are well lit.
• Avoiding wearing dangling belts, clothes that are too long, high heels and flowing robes that may catch on furniture or other obstacles.

We’ve also added some useful podcasts on avoiding falling on the Audio and Video page.