What Causes Elderly People to Fall?

If you want to be more informed about what causes older people to fall, click this infographic.

What Causes Elderly People to Fall?

As we grow older, many of our body functions may start to gradually decline, that is why older people are prone to injuries related to their age. Age can be a risk factor for falls, in fact, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the number one cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries in Americans aged 65 and older. CDC reports that one out of five falls causes serious damage, such as a broken bone or head injury. Knowing that they are susceptible to such harm, it is important to understand the reasons so that you can take preventive measures to lower the risk of possible damage.

As we age, changes in muscles, joints, and bones affect the posture and walk, leading to weakness and slow movement. As a result, older adults may become less active and choose to reduce getting enough physical activity. A sedentary or inactive lifestyle can cause muscle strength and endurance loss because muscles are not used as much. Bones may get weaker and lose some of its mineral content.

Vision Impairment decreases the ability to see objects clearly as usual and therefore includes a detrimental effect on one’s health. According to the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society Research Summary, Older adults who have impaired vision may be at risk for decreased independence, poorer well-being, and an increased risk of falls. For example, in any given year, approximately 30% of adults over age 65 will suffer a fall. Having impaired vision more than doubles the risk. Having poor eyesight makes it difficult to locate possible fall hazards such as steps, thresholds, and objects that may lead to a fall.

Older people may need to take medications for their health and well-being. However, taking such drugs can lead to side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, and low blood pressure. These side effects can very well cause an accident if they are not supervised after ingesting such medicines. Chronic Diseases are the leading causes of death and disability for older people. Having health conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and arthritis can cause extremities' weakness. The direct effects of the illnesses result in reduced physical activity, muscle weakness, and poor balance. It increases a person's initial risk of falling and reduces their ability to recover from sudden accidents.

After undergoing surgery, it is advisable to rest and stay in bed because the body is still weak. An operation can most likely give patient side effects such as weakness, pain, and discomfort. It makes the body less mobile than they were before the procedure. Although this can be temporary while the patient heals, it is important to monitor older people after surgery if they need help.

Falls usually occur in seniors’ homes, and it is often the common cause of admission for older patients. Environmental factors play a big part when it comes to safety in senior home care ct. A sturdy and neat environment for older people will ensure their safety. Also, it will reduce the risk of injuries caused by environmental factors such as poor lighting, clutter, areas of disrepair, loose carpets, and slick floors, and lack of safety equipment.

How we live our lives differs for everyone, and sometimes these differences are the reason we find ourselves in hard situations that leads to accidents. There are certain types of activities with their physical demand that these activities require. An example would be an elderly trying to do physical work that is beyond their capabilities. Failing to alter such behaviors can contribute to a high risk of falls for older people.

It may not be possible to prevent all falls, but it is possible to reduce the chance of a life-threatening injury. If you want to be more informed about what causes older people to fall, click this infographic. 

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