Every year in the U.S., more than 3 million senior citizens end up in the emergency room as a result of a fall. Of those 3 million, 800,000 are hospitalized with severe injuries. In fact, falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury, a life-threatening condition that’s gained increasing public attention over recent years.
Falls affect senior citizens and their overall wellness in many ways, sometimes with catastrophic physical or financial consequences.
Common Causes of Falls
Falls can occur for any number of reasons, but most cases involve one or more of the following factors.
Unreliable or outdated mobility aids
Old, unstable, and poorly designed mobility aids often aren’t enough to prevent accidents.
That’s why more and more gerontologists have begun recommending products like The Perfect Walker, designed to promote a more natural posture and movement pattern. With the help of non-skid wheels and stand-assist handles, characteristic of upright walkers, mobility-impaired seniors’ fall risk plummets.Â
Taking multiple medications
Mixing medications can produce symptoms like dizziness and disorientation that, in turn, decrease muscular control, slow reaction time, and compromise balance, any of which can increase the risk of a fall.
Weakness or past injuries
Seniors who have low levels of physical strength or have sustained injuries due to falls in the past may be more vulnerable to falls in the future.
The Impacts of Falling
Here are five startling statistics on how falls affect senior citizens, their aftermath, and the effects they can have on your loved one’s quality of life.
1 out of 5 falls ends in serious injury
Seniors over the age of 65 who suffer falls have a 20% chance of sustaining severe injuries, including broken bones, hip fractures, or head injuries.
One fall often leads to another
The pain, weakness, and physical limitations that tend to follow a fall can potentially double the probability of a second—most likely worse—fall.
Repeated falls can be a sign of deterioration
Frequent falling could indicate that your loved one is no longer capable of caring for themselves, especially in homes filled with tripping hazards like stairs, low furniture, electrical cords, and accumulated clutter.
Fear of falling has counterintuitive outcomes
Older adults who are frightened by the prospect of falling often stop exercising and become less mobile in general. Ironically, this kind of inactivity can actually increase their likelihood of falling.
Falls comes with a cost
Even with Medicare covering a portion of the bill, a fall resulting in injury could leave you or your loved one saddled with a considerable financial burden.
Conclusion
Even relatively minor falls have the potential to be ruinous for seniors. But there are ways you can help prevent loved ones of advanced age from stumbling into debilitating situations.
Along with encouraging regular exercise, proper nutrition, and responsible use of medications, the right mobility aid can make a big difference. It’s also a good idea to check in with your elderly loved ones regularly to ensure they’re safe and in good health.
Additionally, assist your fall-susceptible loved ones with risky or physically demanding tasks whenever possible.