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The Highest Causes of Falls in the Elderly

Understanding the cause of falls in elderly people is the first step in preventing them from happening. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the most common cause of hospital admissions and the leading cause of injury death in people over 65 years. Falls cause a variety of injuries. Hip fractures, head and brain injuries and broken limbs can cause several complications that limit independence and lower quality of life.

  1. Physical Fitness

    • Some of the highest causes of falls in elderly people include poor muscle strength and coordination. Balance problems, inflamed joints, tremors, poor nutrition and generalized weakness all increase the risk of falls. As you age, muscles become weaker and your body becomes less flexible. Using assistive devices such as a walker can help you keep your balance and reduce the risk of falling.

    Medications

    • Some medications, especially blood pressure and heart medications, can cause lightheadedness or dizziness. This can happen within 30 minutes to one hour after taking them. If you take these types of medications, take extra care when getting up from a sitting position. You can adjust medication doses in some cases to prevent these side effects. If you are starting a new medication, be extremely careful during the first two weeks of treatment, as your body adjusts to it. Some over-the-counter medications cause drowsiness. This can increase the risk of falls. Review all your medications with your doctor or pharmacist to reduce side effects, which will lower the risk of falling.

    Vision

    • Poor vision is another frequent cause of falls. Aging eyes can deteriorate quickly. Conditions such as diabetes can cause blurred vision, and cataract formation can cause loss of vision. Regular visits to the eye doctor can help preserve vision and prevent falls.

    Home Hazards

    • Clutter on the floor, throw rugs and poor lighting can cause even the most agile person to lose his footing. For elderly people, home hazards can result in loss of independence due to broken bones or other injuries. Freeing outside walkways of snow and ice and installing good lighting keeps the outside safer for elderly people. Using night lights and motion detectors inside can offer safety after dark. Shower chairs and hand-held shower heads provide a safe bathroom environment. Reducing or eliminating environmental risks can help prevent falls in the elderly population.

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