Fall Statistics for Seniors

Fall statistics, causes and prevention for seniors

Falling is a common part of life, from when you’re learning to walk to your senior years. However, elderly people are more susceptible to serious injuries when they lose their balance or fall. Fortunately, many falls can be prevented with the right precautions, from simple exercises to home safety adjustments. Taking these precautions can improve the lives of your elderly loved ones.

Williams Lift Company installs stair lifts and wheelchair ramps in homes across New Jersey to improve the safety of elderly individuals and others with limited mobility. Learn more about the major causes of falling, how to prevent falls in elderly people, and how our services can help older patients maintain their independence and quality of life.

Three types of falls in older adults

According to fall injury statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in four people aged 65 or older fall each year, with the risk rising every year. Doctors report that nearly three million seniors visit the emergency room a year due to falls. Additionally, 319,000 older people are hospitalized every year for hip fractures caused by slips and falls. People may fall for several reasons. Doctors categorize these falls into three types:

Accidental falls

Accidental falls are common, even in young people. They are caused by slipping on a wet, slippery surface or tripping over an obstacle. For seniors at minimal risk of falling, most falls are classified as accidental.

Anticipated falls

Anticipated falls are falls that are expected due to a person’s risk factors. As we age, we are more likely to fall because of how aging affects the body. Some of the most common risk factors associated with these anticipated falls include:

• Medical conditions that cause weak muscles or balance problems
• Hearing or vision loss
• Taking medications that cause lightheadedness or dizziness
• Dementia, leading to disorientation and confusion
• Bladder or bowel conditions that cause an urgent need to use the bathroom

Unanticipated falls

Unanticipated falls are when someone at low risk of falling has a fall caused by an unknown health issue. These health problems can include the following:

• A stroke
• Fainting or passing out
• A heart attack
• A seizure

How to respond when an older person falls

If an elderly adult you’re taking care of falls, there are things you need to do immediately:

• Check for injuries: if your loved one is in pain or bleeding, call 911. As you’re waiting for the ambulance, keep them as warm and comfortable as you can. Do not move them unnecessarily to avoid accidental harm. If they are not bleeding or in pain, help them sit up or lie down, whichever is more comfortable. Stay with them until they feel better.
• Find the reason for the fall: Did they trip over something or slip on a wet patch? Move the obstacle or mop up the water. Have them elevate their feet and lie down if they are feeling dizzy. If you think one of their medications caused their dizziness, talk to their doctor.
• Keep them hydrated: While they rest, give them something to eat or water to drink.
• Stay calm: You’ll feel worried and scared after a loved one falls, but you must keep a level head. When you’re calm, it helps your loved one stay calm. It can also help you make the right decisions.

How to prevent falls in older adults

In older adults, falling can lead to traumatic brain injuries, serious injury, and even death. While falls can happen at any time, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of falling, such as:

Talk with your doctor

If you think you or a loved one is at risk for a fall, schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider. The doctor can assess the patient’s risk level and recommend strategies to help prevent falls. You should discuss the following:

• Medications: List your prescription and nonprescription medications and vitamins. The doctor will review the list for any interactions or side effects that may increase your chances of falling. Your doctor may wean you off medications, such as sedatives, antidepressants, and antihistamines.
• Previous falls: Write down when, where, and how you feel. Also, talk about times when you caught yourself before you fell. These details are helpful when identifying specific prevention tips.
• Health conditions: Some ear and eye disorders can increase your chance of falling. Also, let your doctor know if you experience dizziness, shortness of breath, joint pain, or numbness when you walk.

Stay active

Regular exercise can be effective in preventing falls. If it’s OK with your doctor, consider walking, tai chi, water exercise, yoga, and other gentle exercises. Any activity with slow and graceful movements can help improve your coordination, balance, strength, and flexibility.

If you experience uneasiness or unsteadiness while exercising, let your doctor know. They may recommend physical therapy or other monitored programs. A physical therapist can create an exercise program customized to your needs to help improve your strength.

Wear sensible shoes

The shoes you wear—or don’t wear—can increase your risk of falling. Shoes such as floppy slippers, high heels, stocking feet, and those with slick soles can cause you to slip, stumble, and fall. Wearing sensible shoes that fit properly and have flat, sturdy, non-skid soles can help you keep your footing.

Make your home safer

Many seniors live alone, meaning if they fall, they may not have someone to help them. Being proactive can help decrease the risk of serious injury if a fall does occur. You can make a home safer by removing and securing potential hazards, such as:

• Removing boxes and other loose objects from walkways
• Securing phone and electrical cords
• Taping loose rugs to the floor
• Repairing loose floorboards
• Moving coffee tables, plant stands, and other bulky objects from high-traffic areas
• Keep clothing, food, and other necessities within reach, without needing a chair or stool.
• Cleaning up spills immediately

You can also add nightlights to hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms. Adding light to your living space helps make hard-to-see objects more visible. When creating a fall prevention plan, consider storing flashlights in easy-to-find places and encourage your loved ones to turn on the lights before going up or down stairs.

The 5 Ps of fall prevention

When creating a fall safety plan, keep the five Ps in mind: prevention, protecting, planning, practicing, and proactivity. While you can’t prevent all falls, planning makes it easier to stay calm if a fall does occur. You can take the initiative and consider purchasing or installing assistive devices, such as:

• A stair lift
• Wheelchair ramps
• A power-lift recliner
• A cane or walker
• Handrails on both sides of a stairwell
• A raised toilet seat with armrests
• Grab bars for the shower or tub
• A hand-held shower nozzle
• Shower stool

Turning to a trusted company like Williams Lift Company for mobility aids and devices can help you have peace of mind that they are properly installed and able to be maintained if needed.

Frequently asked questions about fall prevention

What causes falls in elderly people?

Besides tripping over obstacles or slipping on wet spots, the natural process of aging can cause elderly people to fall. Medication, vision and hearing loss, decreased muscle mass, and certain health conditions, such as dementia and low blood pressure, can cause elderly people to fall.

If I fall once, am I more likely to fall again?

Yes. About half of older adults who fall will fall again within a year. A repeat fall is often a sign of an untreated health issue or a hazard at home.

• Ask your doctor to review your medicines and vision.
• Remove trip hazards and add grab bars or a stair lift if needed.

Fixing the cause of the first fall lowers the chance of the next one.

At what age do falls become most common?

The CDC states that one in four people 65 and older experiences a fall each year. The risk of falls increases every year due to the natural aging process.

What are the risk factors for falls?

Anyone can fall at any time. However, some people are more at risk than others. Risk factors include:

• Being over 65
• Balance and gait problems
• Muscle weakness
• Poor eyesight or hearing
• Cognitive impairment
• Taking certain medications, such as sedatives, hypertensives, antihistamines, and certain antidepressants
• Chronic conditions, such as arthritis, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s disease, and other health problems that affect mobility and balance

What are the consequences of falling?

For seniors, a fall can lead to:

• Broken bones, especially hips, wrists, and ankles
• Head injuries or brain bleeds—higher risk if you take blood thinners
• Fear of falling again, which can limit activity and weaken muscles

Quick medical care and a solid fall-prevention plan help reduce these risks.

Even if patients aren’t injured, they may become afraid of falling again. This fear may cause them to become less active and lose muscle mass. This can increase the chance of falling again and experiencing significant injury.

How can I prevent falls?

While you cannot prevent falls completely, you can reduce the risk of a serious fall. You can reduce your risk by doing the following:

• Keeping your home tidy and free of debris
• Keeping hallways and stairways well-lit
• Staying active
• Wearing sensible shoes
• Installing assistive aids throughout your home, such as stairlifts, handrails, raised toilet seats, ramps, and emergency call buttons

What home safety checklist can help prevent falls?

• Remove throw rugs and clutter.

Find Mobility Assistance Near You From Williams Lift Company Today

Falls can be devastating for the elderly. However, the risk of severe injury can be reduced with proper planning. If you care for an elderly loved one in New Jersey, Williams Lift Company can help make your home safer and more accessible. Our team can install a custom stairlift to make it easier to go up and down stairs. If your loved one has limited mobility, we can outfit the home with a sturdy wheelchair ramp. We also offer top-model power lift recliners to help people relax in comfort and stand up safely. To learn more about the risks of falling and how to prevent falls in elderly individuals with our products, contact us today.