Fall Prevention: How to Prevent Falls

     According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), every eighteen seconds an elderly person is brought into the emergency room because they have fallen. Every 35 minutes, a person aged 65 or older dies because of a fall. More often than not, falls go unreported and injuries resulting from falls go untreated as most of those who fall do not seek medical treatment. Rather they try and treat themselves, resulting in further injury. Falls may also lead to possible infections, rapid declines in health, and eventually even death.

     Falls are very costly. In the year 2000, the U.S. health care system paid over $19 billion dollars because of falls among the elderly. As people get older, the chance of falling increases, as does the cost to treat injuries resulting from falls. By the year 2020, projected costs may reach $55 billion dollars. Costs include fees for health care in hospitals as well as nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, doctors, community-based service, use of medical equipment, medicine, home changes, and insurance processing. These are known as direct costs. Direct costs, however, do not take into account long-term effects of fall injuries. Long-term effects may include disability, dependence on others, lost time from work, lost time from household duties, and most costly, reduced quality of life.

     There are many ways to prevent falls, and they are all very easy to do. First of all, elderly people should begin a simple exercise routine. Exercise increases strength so that falls are less likely to happen. Exercise also helps to feel better and helps with balance. Simple tasks such as walking every day, or small strengthening movements may prove very beneficial to an elderly person’s health. Ask a doctor before beginning any sort of exercise program. Another way to prevent falls is to make your home safer. In order to make a home safer:

-Remove things that may trip you (such as books, clothes, shoes, etc.) from walkways and stairs

-Remove rugs, or use double sided tape to keep the rugs from slipping

-Keep items that are often used within reach (in low cabinets, places in which a step stool is not necessary)

-Install grab bars in the bathroom next to the toilet and bathtub or shower

-Use non-slip mats in the bathtub or shower

-Improve the lighting in the home in order to see better

-Have handrails and lights in all staircases

-Wear supportive shoes that have thin, non-slip soles. Avoid slippers and athletic shoes with deep tread

     A third way to prevent falls, is to have your vision checked. As people get older their vision changes and may get worse. You may have to get glasses or get your prescription changed. Poor vision may very well increase the chances of a fall, so by getting your vision checked may catch some impairments in your sight and then those impairments can be fixed or helped. Also, have a health care provider review the medications you take. As you get older, the way some medicines work in the body may change. Some medicines, or a combination of medications, can make a person drowsy or light-headed leading to a possible fall.

     There are four easy ways to prevent a fall: Exercise, make safe changes in the home, have your vision checked, and have a health care provider review your current medications. Follow these tips, and lead a healthier, upright life!

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (2010). Costs of falls among older adults, Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/fallcost.html.

Chang, J., and Bunn, J. (2008, November 08). Prevent falls for the elderly. Good Morning America, Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=6173302&page=1.