Strong Foundations: Preventing Falls and Staying Active
A medical guide to understanding fall risks and prevention strategies for older adults.
Dr. Kathryn Mutter, MD, MPH·3 min read
Why Falls Are So Dangerous
A fall for an older adult can be life changing: an injury after a fall can trigger a decline in health, reduce quality of life and increase the risk of disability. Over one in four older adults greater than 65 fall each year and the risk of falling increases with age.
Age-Related Risk Factors
There are many medical conditions and natural consequences of aging that increase the risk of falling as one gets older. Age related changes include:
- Loss of muscle mass
- Change in hearing and eyesight
- Balance and gait challenges
- Posture related drop in blood pressure
Medical Conditions That Increase Fall Risk
Examples of medical conditions that can increase your likelihood of falling are:
- Medication side effects
- Chronic pain from a condition such as arthritis
- Loss of feeling in your hands or feet (neuropathy)
- Diabetes
- Heart failure
What You Can Do
What should you do if you are concerned you or a loved one might fall (or if you have already fallen)? Talk to your doctor! It is important they know about potential or actual falls to help you determine the cause. It is possible that physical therapy, a walking aid or medication changes may make a significant difference. Other important aspects of prevention include:
- Stay active: be intentional about exercise. Weight bearing activities and strength training are both important components of a fall prevention regimen.
- Evaluate your home for fall risks: loose carpets and cords, slippery indoor and outdoor materials, and pets are environmental aspects you can manage. If you are unsure where to start, you can call your area agency on aging to see what local services are available or talk with your doctor about having your home evaluated by an occupational or physical therapist.
Resources
If you are seeking more resources locally to help you or a loved one with fall prevention the Eldercare Locator is a great place to start.
Also, see the CDC Fall Prevention site for more general information.
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