How to Prevent Falls in the Elderly (Risk Factors, Checklist, & Top 21 Ways of Prevention)

For the elderly in America, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries. Falls put a senior’s safety at risk, as well as their ability to have independence. Falls for the elderly can be costly, between paying for medical bills and equipment to prevent falls.

While falls are common, they are not inevitable. You can prevent falls in many different ways, including practical lifestyle adjustments, creating a home that is safe, and help from your loved ones.

I am going to be offering several ways to prevent falls for the elderly, as well as go over the statistics on falls for the elderly. I will touch on the risks associated with falling, and ways loved ones and others can help prevent falling. I will also cover the myths about falling.

What Are the Statistics on Falls in Elderly? It is a Pretty Well-Known Fact that Elderly People Face a Higher Risk of Falling than Younger People. What Exactly is the Statistic on the Falls that Elderly People Experience Though?

• One in four Americans who are 65 or older fall each year
• Every 11 seconds an elderly person is admitted to the emergency room for a fall
• Every 19 minutes a fall results in death for an elderly adult
• Falls are the leading cause of injury and fatality in elderly adults
• Falls result in more than 2.8 million injuries that result in hospitalization, and more than 27,000 deaths
• The total cost of fall injuries was $50 billion in 2015
• This financial burden is expected to escalate to $67.7 billion for elderly people by the year 2020
• 20-30% of seniors who are 65 or older have at least one fall every year. Half of these people fall more often than that
• 50% of falls occur at home

What Common Factors Contribute to Elderly People Falling? Although Falling is a Fairly Common Occurrence for Elderly People, there are Certain Things that Cause the Chances of Falling to be Higher. So, what is it That Causes Falls for Elderly People?

There are several things that can contribute to an elderly person falling. One factor is an illness. Pneumonia, urinary tract infection, or myocardial infection can heighten the risk of falls. These illnesses can often cause weakness or disorientation in the elderly adult.

If falls are happening more than two times per every six months, then this is likely linked to a condition causing the falls. These causes may be treatable so the individual should seek medical assistance immediately.

Visual impairment can also lead to the fall of an elderly person. If they cannot see clearly, they may trip on things like shoes, curbs, or pets that are in their walkway. Certain medications can cause falls as they can lead to dizziness or disorientation which will cause an elderly person to lose their balance and fall.

If an elderly adult requires a cane or walker to travel, then they are more likely to fall than someone who does not. Also, if an elderly person lives alone then they are more likely to fall, as they don’t have the help traveling around the home that somebody who lives with others does.

Adults who are older than 75 are at an increased risk for falling as they are more likely to be affected by the previous risk factors.

What Should You Do if You Experience a Fall Yourself? Falling Can be Really Scary, Especially if You Are By Yourself. Well, There Are Plenty of Ways to Help Yourself, or Get Help When You Experience a Fall.

It is very important to catch your breath and attempt to calm yourself down before you do anything. If you are able to move and are not injured, then take your time trying to get up. If you are injured, try to call for help.

Follow these five steps to get up from a more minor fall…

1. Shift your weight so that you are laying on your side. Bend the leg that is on top and start trying to lift yourself with your elbows and hands

2. Try to find a sturdy object nearby to pull yourself up with. Place both of your hands on the sturdy object while rising to your knees.

3. Once a stable position on both knees is found, place the stronger leg out in front, while still holding onto the sturdy object.

4. Slowly begin pulling yourself to a standing position, maintaining balance the entire time

5. As you are able to stand, carefully and slowly turn your body and sit down in the chair.

If you are unable to stand up or move, you will need to modify your approach.

1. If you are in a place where other people can hear you, call out for help, or make a loud noise that will draw the attention of somebody to come help.

2. If there is nobody around you to help, use an emergency call button or mobile phone to reach out for help.

3. If you don’t have anybody else in the home or other environment with you, and you do not have something on hand to seek help, you may need to move yourself. Try to carefully slide yourself towards a phone or a place where you can be heard by others.

4. If you are waiting for help, try to seat yourself in the most comfortable position you can as you wait.

5. If you are able, try to place a pillow under your head and cover yourself with a blanket or piece of clothing to keep warm.

6. Try to keep joints moving to ease the circulation and prevent any muscle stiffness as you wait for help.

What Should You Do If You Witness a Fall Happen? We Have Learned that Elderly People Face a Higher Risk of Falling than Younger People Do. So, If You Witness a Fall Happening, Are You Prepared to Handle It? There Are Plenty of Ways You can Help the Victim of a Fall, here is How…

If you are the witness of a fall, it is very important to refrain from just grabbing them and lifting them up. Evaluate the situation and try to figure out the condition the person is in and how you can best help.

Check for any red flags, such as:

• Unconsciousness
• Injury
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Visual impairment
• Headache
• Inability to get up or move

If any of these signs are present, immediately contact medical help. The person should not be moved for risk of further injury. They may also have an underlying condition that caused the fall, so that should be addressed immediately.

If there does not seem to be any of these signs present, then try to gently help them get into a chair. Bring the chair close by and help the person turn onto their side and bend their leg. Help them get into a seated position from there. Position yourself behind the person and get a firm grip on the hips. From there, help them get into a kneeling position with both of their hands on the chair for support.

Direct them to hold onto the chair as they place their stronger leg in front, as you guide them and offer your support. Firmly support their hips as you help them stand and turn their body to sit in the chair.

What Can You Do to Actively Reduce Falls? While Falls Are Very Common, They Are not Completely Inevitable. There Are Plenty of Steps that Can be Taken to Avoid a Fall. Adjusting Things Like Clothing, Your Home, and Your Habits can Greatly Reduce Your Chances of Experiencing a Fall.

Falling may be a common occurrence for elderly people, but that does not mean that it is unavoidable. Here are some of the ways to create a safer environment and life that will reduce the chances of falls…

1. Check the environment for potential tripping hazards
2. Remove boxes, newspapers, cords, and shoes from the walkway
3. Move your furniture out of the way for walking (Ex: coffee table, plants, end tables)
4. Make sure carpets are free of snags by securing loose areas with double-faced tape
5. Repair any floorboards that are loose, so they are not sticking up and easy to trip on
6. Store materials where they will be easy to reach, so nobody has to climb up or stretch too far to grab them
7. Clean up any spills of water, oil, or food immediately
8. Use nonslip mats in the bath or shower
9. Make sure the area is well-lit
10. Keep a lamp next to areas where a lot of time is spent; chairs, couches, desk, bed, etc.
11. Keep night lights in places like the bathroom or hallway
12. Make sure grab rails are available on stairs
13. When using rugs, choose non-slip rugs
14. Make sure shoes are non-slip and easy to walk in
15. Provide a call button in case of falls
16. Make sure a cell phone is always on them in case they need to call for help
17. Provide a set of keys to someone who is trusted so they can get in the home and help if needed
18. Talk to a doctor about limiting or adjusting medications that cause dizziness or disorientation
19. If you have fallen, keep track of the times you have fallen and try to avoid those circumstances
20. Incorporate gentle exercises such as walking, swimming, or tai chi to improve strength, coordination, and balance
21. Install grab rails in the shower

Keeping track of everything that needs to be adjusted can be difficult, so we created a checklist for “fall-proofing” your home. Check the boxes as you complete each safety task…

Fall Reducing Checklist for the Home…

How Can Loved Ones Help? When it Comes to Avoiding Falls, Support is Extremely Important. Without the Help of Others, it can be Very Hard to Create an Environment that is Safe Against Falls. Also, Physical Help May be Needed to Avoid Falls or Recover from One.

There are many ways that the family or friends of an elderly person can help prevent falls. Helping them prepare their house and create the safest environment possible is a major way to help. If an elderly person is at the age where falls are a concern, then they will probably struggle to install and renovate the things they need to.

For example, installing grab bars would be a struggle for an elderly person to do on their own. This same idea goes for changing/repairing carpet and wood flooring. “Fall-proofing” the home will help greatly reduce the chance of falls.

Reorganize the home as much as possible so that everything is easier to reach for them. Offer to help grab items that are higher up or heavy as much as possible.

If the person of concern lives on their own, provide them with an emergency call button. Also, establish certain times throughout the day to call and check in. If they miss their time, go over and check on them to make sure that they are okay.

If their condition worsens, consider letting them live with you so that you are able to help them get around and keep an eye on them. Try to create a plan of action with a doctor to help avoid falls and make an environment that will greatly reduce the risk.

What Are Myths About Falls and the Elderly? As we Have Learned, Elderly People Are at the Highest Risk of Falls, as well as Having a Worse Injury if Falls Occur. There are Many Myths that have been Created About Falls in Elderly People. Here is What is True and What is Not…

1. Falls Are A Normal Part of Aging– Although falls do happen very frequently for elderly people, they are not an inevitable, or normal part of aging. Most falls can be prevented as there are plenty of ways to reduce your risk. Things like exercising, attending regular doctor appointments to stay on track of any health conditions, and managing medications are all ways to lower your chance of falling

2. If I Limit My Activity Then I Won’t Fall– Some people become scared of falling so they act overly cautious in an attempt to avoid falling. Avoiding activity to lessen chances of falling is actually not an effective strategy. The less that you get moving and exercise, the more likely you will be to lose your strength, balance, and coordination. Keeping yourself moving will make you much less likely to fall as you will have more control over your body.

3. Muscle Strength and Flexibility Necessary for Avoiding Falls Cannot be Regained Once Lost-Although it is normal to lose some muscle and strength as you age, it can be restored to an extent. There are many different exercise programs that are geared towards elderly people. Examples include water aerobics, walking, or tai chi. These are very gentle exercises that are fairly simple to do, and that will not put strain on the muscles or joints. This is a safe and healthy way to help regain back some of the muscle that is naturally lost as we age.

4. As Long as I Stay Home, I Can Avoid Falling– This is actually very far from the truth, as 50% of falls take place in the home. This is because each home comes with its own falling hazards. Falling hazards within the home can include furniture being in the way of high-traffic areas, pets running in front of feet, shoes being left in walkways, cords stretching along areas that are walked through, and many more. You can help reduce your risk of falling in the home by clearing clutter and installing equipment to make the house safer. However, choosing not to leave the home is not going to make your risks of falling any lower.

5. I Don’t Need to Have My Vision Checked Every Year– Having the best vision possible is essential to avoiding falls. If you cannot see clearly, you may not notice easy to miss objects like curbs, drop-offs, or stairs. The better you are able to see, the higher your ability to avoid these things will be. As people get older their vision worsens drastically, so it becomes very important to have an up-to-date prescription and understanding of your visual state.

6. I Don’t Need to Talk with Family Members Or a Health Care Provider When I Am Concerned About Falling Because I Do Not Want to Worry Anybody- When it comes to preventing falls as an elderly adult, you will need the support of both your family and your healthcare provider. Your family can help you prevent falls by offering physical support, as well as helping you keep your environment as safe as possible. Your healthcare provider is crucial in making sure you have all the necessary tools to avoid falling. Proper glasses, the right medication, and a walker or cane are just a few things the doctor can recommend or help with.

Also, you may have a more serious condition that is causing the falls that is treatable by your doctor.

7. I Don’t Need to Talk to My Parent, Spouse, or Other Older Adult If I’m Concerned About Falling. I Am Scared to Hurt Their Feelings, and It’s None of My Business- It is essential that you offer your support for an elderly person that you fear may be at risk of falling. They may need suggestions for avoiding the fall or help if it does happen. Family is one of the most important things for an elderly person who is at risk of falling, so do not be afraid to speak up.

8. Taking Medication Doesn’t Increase My Risk of Falling– There are actually many medications that when taken together (or even on their own) can create a higher risk of falling. Medication can mess with balance and coordination if an elderly adult is not taking the medication that is right for their body. Especially when elderly adults begin taking a large variety of medications (4 or more). Although medication can affect one’s ability to fall, talking to a doctor and finding the right dosage and medication can help reduce the chance.

9. Falling Happens to Other People, Not Me– Many people have the mentality that a fall will not happen to them, and they do not take this injury seriously as a result. While there are many ways to prevent it, it is important to be aware of the possibility in order to begin prevention measures.

Falling in Elderly People Is Very Common, but it is Also Preventable. There are Steps that Can be Taken to Create an Environment that is Less Likely to Result in Harmful Falls. There are Also Steps an Elderly Person can Take to Physically Make Their Body More Resilient Against Falls.

Yes, it is true that falls are a very common occurrence among the elderly. Although falls are common in older people, they are not inevitable. There are plenty of ways to avoid this occurrence.

If a fall does happen as a result of an accident or illness, then it is important to know how to react. Following the proper steps to help yourself if you have experienced a fall, as well as helping others is vital to avoiding fatality or extreme injuries.

Falling is a common part of getting older, so it would help greatly for us to all understand how to react and act when faced with an elderly fall.

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