Falls continue to be a national public health issue among seniors, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating that 36 million older adults fall annually. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four older Americans experiences a severe fall yearly.
This is daily life for seniors, who may be susceptible to falling as older people age and their bodies get weaker. Falling for older adults is also a widespread yet frequently overlooked injury in older adults. Anyone can have a fall, but older adults are more vulnerable and more likely to have fall accidents, particularly if they have long-term medical conditions.
Seniors who are at risk of falls.
Falls can be especially troublesome in older adults, as osteoporosis is quite a common issue. Almost any new medical problem that weakens an older person may cause falls. Every year, 1 out of 4 people over 65 suffer a significant fall. Fear of falling becomes more common as people get older, even among people who do not have falls.
Even if a senior has not fallen in the past, fear of falling may cause them to be less active and suffer from balance problems, which increases their risk of falling. Many underestimate their dangers when asked whether they have fallen or are afraid to fall. They may not realize that near falls are a significant marker of their functioning and that there are steps they can take to reduce their risk of falling.
If a senior take four or more medications daily, the side effects can also increase their fall risk. If an older adult commits to exercise every day, like walking daily, the chances that they will suffer from serious falls may drop. The consequences of falls for older adults usually include traumatic brain injuries. Falls are a significant cause of serious injuries, such as broken femur or brain injuries for older adults. Falls can result in fractures, concussions, costly hospital stays, and even brain injuries, which contribute to decreased independence and even death. Falls may alert your healthcare provider to new medical problems or problems with medications or vision, which may be corrected.
If your older parent has been diagnosed with Parkinsons’ disease or has had a stroke -- their fall risk is exceptionally high. Seniors falling one time can easily double their chances of falling again. Since most seniors will not always talk to the doctors about fall accidents, it is essential to try and stay on top of things when possible. Overcoming the fear of falling can help you remain active, maintain your physical health, and prevent future falls.
Prevention is still better than cure.
If you help you’re older loved one practice the proper safety measures, you may be able to lower their fall risk. Knowing the risk factors for your senior loved one, then preparing accordingly to avoid situations that may cause them to fall can significantly help in helping to keep them from falling. Knowing the risks seniors are facing from drinking is one of the ways you can help prevent falls in older adults.
Preventing falls in older adults from occurring not only helps seniors keep healthy but can also keep them independent in everyday life. With fewer than half of older adults telling their healthcare providers if they have fallen, it is essential that healthcare providers actively consider preventing falls. Experts suggested a more tailored approach to falling prevention, greater engagement from medical professionals, and better ways of motivating older adults to act.
Your doctor might recommend physical therapy, a walking aid, or other steps to help prevent future falls. Your primary care physician also can refer you to a rehabilitation or exercise therapist, who can design a personalized fall prevention plan just for you. If you brought someone older to you after they fell, it is good to talk with your physician about whether these services may help.
Establishing a medical alert system to detect falls and send SOS alerts
In the event of fall accidents in seniors, immediate emergency care must be provided. Early notification will help alleviate worse conditions post-fall. Medical alert systems with fall detection systems and SOS alerts to emergency contacts may help fall accidents go unnoticed. KAREWatch™ MG Medical Alert System Smartwatch, for one, has advanced fall detection and SOS alert system. Once a fall is detected on a loved one, the smartwatch automatically starts an SOS Call, sends alerts to the registered emergency response center, and reports the SOS numbers of caregivers and family members. The GPS history tracking feature allows first responders to locate fall victims, especially when they become unconscious quickly. The earlier fall is detected, the sooner help arrives.
All too often, the post-fall health care visit is mainly concerned with managing whatever injuries an older person might have suffered. Dealing with deaths following falls for older adults can be pretty upsetting, but thankfully, there are ways to prevent these dramatic events. Health professionals are taking falls in older adults very seriously as there are massive consequences that they can have on this group’s health and well-being. The litany of medications and supplements that older adults take may be contributing to their fall risk.
If you maintain an excellent general sense of well-being, you may be able to reduce the chances that you will fall. While getting older raises your chances of losing, the longer you can avoid it or minimize its impact on your life, the happier and healthier you will remain.
Get your KAREWatch™ MG Medical Alert Smartwatch at KAREWatch.com, or call us at 855 932 KARE to start safeguarding your loved ones.
New to medical alert systems? Reach out to us and learn more at help.KAREWatch.com.
Cited Sources:
- https://www.aetna.com/health-guide/tips-to-reduce-falls.html
- https://www.nextavenue.org/after-aging-person-falls/
- https://www.saberhealth.com/news/blog/how-to-prevent-falls-in-seniors
- https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/prevent-falls-and-fractures
- https://www.summithealth.com/health-wellness/summit-healths-3-tips-fall-risk-prevention-older-adults
- https://jancareprivatehealthservices.com/senior-fall-prevention/
- https://medicine.wustl.edu/news/fall-prevention-program-can-help-reduce-dangerous-in-home-tumbles-by-nearly-40/
- https://www.griswoldhomecare.com/blog/2020/january/elderly-fall-prevention-complete-action-plan/
- https://seniorsafetyadvice.com/how-to-prevent-elderly-falls-at-home/
- https://khn.org/news/more-seniors-are-dying-in-falls-doctors-could-do-more-to-reduce-the-risk/
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/falls/
- https://resources.amedisys.com/senior-fall-risk-prevention-questions-patients