Fall Statistics for Seniors

Fall Statistics for Seniors: Causes, Consequences, and How to Prevent Them

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 Elderly People

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 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

Responding to Falls: What to Do if 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 the Elderly

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:

Talking to 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.

Staying 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.

Wearing 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.

Making 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 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
• Wheelchair ramps
• A stair lift
• A power-lift recliner

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?

If you fall once, you are more likely to fall again. This is for a few reasons:

• You may have an underlying health condition that needs to be addressed.
• There are trip hazards at home that need to be resolved.

Talking to your doctor and making your home a safe environment can help reduce your risk.

What age is the most common to start falling?

The CDC states that one in four people 65 and older experience 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 most people, there is little chance of significant injury. For elderly people, however, there are significant risks. Falls can cause broken bones, like wrists, arms, or ankles. Hip fractures can also occur, which can be fatal, especially for older people and those with certain health conditions. Falls can also cause traumatic brain injuries, especially if the patient is taking blood thinners or other medications.

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

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.