We Can Prevent Falls by Older Adults

You might be surprised to learn that falls are THE leading cause of death among older adults. They also lead to long-term hospitalizations and placement in nursing homes. However, there are a number of steps that elders can take to reduce their risks of falls.

The statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are breath-taking:

"Unintentional falls are a threat to the lives, independence and health of adults ages 65 and older. Every 18 seconds, an older adult is treated in an emergency department for a fall, and every 35 minutes someone in this population dies as a result of their injuries. Although one in three older adults falls each year in the United States, falls are not an inevitable part of aging. There are proven strategies that can reduce falls and help older adults live better and longer."

Families and elders can take a variety of steps to prevent falls and injuries, including:

• Performing a home safety inspection


• Reviewing the mix of various medications


• Exercising and participating in balance training


• Checking vision and footwear

The CDC publishes a checklist of how to perform a home safety inspection. Many families are installing grab bars in bathrooms and showers, as well as discarding area rugs.

Even walking with a cane or walker can be dangerous. Elders and their families should review the equipment they are using with their doctor or an occupational therapist. Other families are helping their parents to review the shoes they are wearing. According to a recent Center for Disease Control study, more than 47,000 elderly Americans experience a walker- or cane-related fall each year. That is an average of 129 falls per day, according to a recent release from the CDC.

According to a recent post at Caring.com, an important step is to Improve Strength and Balance with Exercise.

“Exercise classes designed with the safety, confidence, and special needs of older adults are springing up at community centers, gyms, senior centers, and elsewhere across the country. No matter where you live, it shouldn't be hard to find a gentle movement, dance, or yoga class designed with older bodies in mind. For example, the Arthritis Foundation offers a variety of classes through local chapters. Another option becoming more and more popular is Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese martial art, that's now offered through many health centers such as Kaiser Permanente facilities. Several studies have shown that Tai Chi improves balance and reduces the risk and the fear of falling among older adults. In one study, people between the ages of 70 and 92 who took Tai Chi three times a week for six months had a 55 percent lower risk of falling than a comparable group who didn't take classes.”

Rebuilding Together and other organizations that provide home modifications are supporting national efforts to fund the Safety of Seniors Act and educational programs related to falls prevention for older adults.

Please post what you are doing to prevent falls and improve safety for yourself and your family members.