Falls – Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies

Falls are the leading cause of injury for seniors.

Falls – Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies: More than one-third of Canadian seniors experience falls, which can have a devastating physical and psychological impact, resulting in disability, chronic pain, loss of independence, reduced quality of life, and even death. Falls are the leading cause of injury for seniors and falling once doubles someone’s chances of falling again.

Preventing accidents in the home, including falls, is one of the most important planning strategies for helping seniors stay independent. Fractures, head trauma and other injuries can cause long term mobility issues and have lasting physical effects. And, once an injury occurs, it can affect someone’s ability to live the way they want and enjoy the same lifestyle and activities. 

Health issues that occur more often as we age can also make seniors more likely to fall. These risk factors include:

• Muscle weakness
• Heart disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia
• Malnutrition
• Low blood pressure
• Poor vision
• Ear infections or inflammation
• Pain or sensitivity in the legs or feet

There are some precautions that seniors and their families can take to reduce the likelihood of a fall. 

Evaluating risk factors and taking preventative measures in a way that considers the unique lifestyle, needs and health of a senior can help. 

• Minimize trip hazards– Some fall hazards are obvious; flights of stairs, slippery shower floors or cords that are too far from a wall outlet. But there are less obvious features that can be an issue for someone with dizziness or vision loss. These can include loose rugs, certain types of carpeting, dimly lit hallways or a dog toy in the middle of the floor. Removing the hazard or installing safety devices, like grab bars and brighter light bulbs, can help.
• Evaluate footwear – Footwear that has an open back, doesn’t fit properly, is worn out or has a slippery bottom can all contribute to tripping or balance problems. There are a variety of safe shoe options to fit any activity and personal style…safe shoes don’t have to be boring!
• Know the effects of medication – Seniors and their families should talk to a healthcare professional about how a person’s specific medications – both prescription and over-the-counter – can have side effects that cause dizziness or balance issues.
• Nutrition and exercise – Having healthy habits when it comes to diet and exercise can prevent weakness in the legs and feet, and can reduce pain. Seniors should always talk to their doctor about any diet and exercise plan, and can ask specific questions about how these things affect their fall risk factors.
• Focus on mental health – Studies show that there is a correlation between depression in seniors and falls. According to one report, “both depression and fear of falling are associated with impairment of gait and balance.” Positive mental wellbeing can improve many areas of a senior’s life, and reduced fall risk is another benefit. Connecting with loved ones, finding a sense of purpose, engaging in enjoyable activities and experiencing joy can improve physical and mental quality of life. 

Some families only think about fall prevention after a loved one is hurt. Taking precautions before an accident happens can help seniors maintain their physical health and their independence.

Related Article: Keeping Bones, Muscles and Joints Healthy and Strong

Comfort Keepers^® Can Help

For every client, our Comfort Keepers team does a thorough home evaluation to minimize hazards in the home – including fall risk evaluation. Our caregivers can help with mobility issues, provide transportation to scheduled appointments, and support physician-prescribed exercise regimens and diets. And, our goal is to elevate the spirits of our clients and their families every day. As part of an individualized care plan, caregivers can also help with activities like cooking, cleaning and physical care. Whether a senior is recovering from a fall or needs help with fall prevention, we can provide services to help. 

To learn more about Calgary’s in-home care services, contact your Calgary Comfort Keepers location today.

Bonus Article: Custom in-home care

References

Canadian Patient Safety Institute. “Falls”. Web, 2019.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Falls Are Serious and Costly.” Web.

Better Health While Aging. “Why Older People Fall & How to Reduce Fall Risk.” Web. 2017.

Mayo Clinic. “Fall Prevention: Simple tips to prevent falls.” Web. 2016.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research. “The Complex Interplay of Depression and Falls in Older Adults: A Clinical Review.” Web. 2016

Fall Prevention for Seniors

Senior Fall Prevention | More seniors fall and get hurt than individuals in other age groups. As a result, many people assume falling is a result of aging. The good news is that this is false logic. Falls are not a result of aging, and they can be prevented. For seniors, fall prevention is more than avoiding the odds, it is about maximizing health, independence, and quality of life, because when seniors do fall it is usually serious.

Tips for Senior In Home Safety

The first step in fall prevention is analyzing and preparing the home environment. After all, over 70 percent of senior falls take place in the home. Calgary seniors can count on Comfort Keepers to provide support in this area. A home risk analysis will identify the areas most likely to lead to a fall so they can be fixed. The most common findings are cords, cables, and loose rugs in walkways. Safety suggestions often include grab bars near toilets and showers, addressing level shifts in the flooring, motion sensor lighting, and railings in the hallways.

Statistically, the primary reason for age-related senior falls is a lack of strength and flexibility in the lower half of the body. Frail seniors may be too afraid to start an exercise program, and those with chronic, progressive, or severe medical issues may struggle many forms of exercise. In these cases, the most popular forms of exercise include walking, water aerobics, swimming, yoga, and Tai Chi. Others find that stationary bikes are more to their liking. The secret is simply finding something that is of interest that can be done safely. Calgary seniors Comfort Keepers staff can make all of the difference, as they offer the physical, emotional, and social supports needed for seniors to find and stick with an exercise program.

A significant number of senior falls are also attributed to decreased vision, dizziness due to medication and ear problems, and improper diet. Fall prevention includes regular medical check-ups and proper treatment such as up-to-date prescriptions for glasses, dietary guides, and medication management and oversight. Calgary seniors can get much of this support, including transportation to and from appointments, shopping, and cooking from Comfort Keepers senior care services.

Comfort Keepers^® Calgary Can Help with Senior Fall Prevention

If you are concerned about the safety of your aging loved ones, especially in regard to fire, we can help. While it’s important to rely on the expertise of licensed professionals for certain precautions, we can provide home safety assessments and ensure your loved ones’ environment is safe.

Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.