Falls happen when a person loses balance and immobility, resulting in collapses. And as we all know, especially for people who reach the age of 65, falls are often seen as normal. However, falls in older adults must be taken very seriously. According to World Health Organization, an estimated 684 000 individuals die from falls globally of which over 80% each year, and 37.3 million falls that are severe enough to require medical attention occur each year. What does this imply? It is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death next to road traffic injuries.
Among older people, the most common factor behind falls is of course, age. Other factors include long-term health conditions such as dementia and heart disease. And that is why there’s a higher mortality rate regarding falls in older adults. This is something that happens every day, but how do we help the elderly reduce the risks of falls? First, let’s tackle the injuries that can be gotten from frequent falls.
From the data that we gathered from the National Library of Medicine; fractures are the most common result of frequent falls in older people. And apparently, fractures often involve the hip, wrist, humerus, and pelvis. So, let’s get down to the main subject of this article: Helping the elderly minimize falls and the risks that come with it.
Below are the steps you can take to help the elderly minimize falls:
• INCREASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
Since older people lose immobility and their strength gets impaired as they age, you can help enhance their bodies’ endurance and reflexes by starting with morning walks or jogs, moderate exercises at home, and you can also help them improve their posture when they sit.
• FALL-PROOFING YOUR HOME
They love to hang around the house too you know! To ease their daily activities at home, handrails on stairs can be very beneficial for them to maintain their balance. You also need to make sure that their walkways are free from anything that can cause them to stumble.
• MEDICATIONS AND ASSISTIVE DEVICES
It’s always good to consult a professional when falls happen frequently. These doctors often prescribe cardiovascular medication to enhance the strength of muscles, which is a big help for the elderly. Assistive devices such as walkers, canes, and grab bars can also help with reducing falls as well as managing mobility problems.
If you need help with in-home care for your older loved ones, get in touch with us by sending us a message!
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