Falling is more severe for an elderly adult and could result in serious emergencies. In fact, according to CDC data, falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal medical visits for elders 65 and up. Close monitoring is the best way to prevent serious accidents and injuries, but learning why falls occur can help people understand and foresee the situation. This article will enumerate the most common reason elders experience falls and some tips on preventing them.
Why Elderly Experiences Falls More Often
The main reason behind this common scenario can be linked to aging. As people grow old, their bodies and capabilities will also change. Here are some scientific explanations to help you understand where the risks come from.
They Start to Lose Their Vision and Hearing
As people grow older, their vision and hearing will start to weaken. People with vision loss are more prone to falls because the visual system plays a significant role in maintaining a person’s balance. In addition, problems in the inner ear could disrupt the vestibular system, eventually leading to the impairment of one’s balance.
Their Blood Pressure Changes
When there are changes in blood pressure, it could lead to light-headedness, or worse, fainting. You can associate these effects with falling, which is the immediate negative consequence of the aforementioned conditions.
Medical Conditions
Diseases and other medical conditions attack elderly bodies differently. They could feel weak, leading them to feel off-balance at times. Taking medication for these ailments could cause side effects as well. Some prescriptions can make them feel dizzy or alter their sugar levels and blood pressure. One example is vitamin D deficiency, which directly affects one’s bones.
Fall-Hazard Areas at Home
The condition of one’s home may also be a reason the elderly become prone to falling. Here are the things to watch out for at home.
- Rugs
- Electrical Cords
- Low tables
- Temperature control
- Slippery surface
- Unfamiliar spaces of the house
Tips to Prevent Falling off at Home
Here are some tips that could help fall incidents at home:
- Help elderly with poor eyesight by installing night lights in areas and hallways that might be risky for them to walk through at night.
- Provide non-slip home slippers that can prevent accidents from occurring at home.
- Modifying the house and installing grab bars in crucial places could give them stability.
- If your senior family member is moving to a new place, designing their new home based on the layout of their old place could help them remember things better. Familiarization with the layout can help them prevent falling at night.
- Prevent them from feeling dizzy by urging them to stay indoors during hot weather, especially from 10 am to 6 pm. Should they need to go out, make sure they wear loose-fitting clothing and stay hydrated to avoid feeling nauseous.
Conclusion
The elderly are more likely to be at risk due to their changing body conditions. Aside from learning about this information and making alterations to their home and lifestyle, it would be best if dedicated professionals watch out for them.
Should you need an elderly fall prevention service, contact us at Gateway Home Health Hospice. We are committed to providing the highest quality home-based patient care in an atmosphere of respect for human dignity. We offer a fall prevention program that focuses on reducing the risk of injury and falls by developing plans to improve their safety, balance, and coordination while at home. Contact us today to learn more about it.