Falls In The Elderly: Causes And How To Reduce The Danger

Falls are a major health concern for older people, as they can lead to serious injury and even death. Falls in the elderly can be caused by a variety of factors, including age-related changes in balance and coordination, and mobility impairments due to arthritis or other conditions. While falls cannot always be prevented entirely, there are steps seniors can take to reduce their risk of falling.

Causes of Constant Falls in the Elderly

Falls can be caused by a variety of factors, such as physical impairments, environmental hazards, and cognitive decline. Understanding the causes of recurrent falls in older adults is essential for reducing their risk and helping them remain safe at home or in long-term care settings.

Physical impairments are one common cause of recurrent falls among elderly individuals. As age increases, so does the likelihood that an individual will experience balance problems due to poor vision or hearing loss, weakened muscles, dizziness from low blood pressure, etc. All these issues can make it more difficult for seniors to move around safely without falling on occasion.

Environmental hazards also contribute significantly towards increased fall risk in older adults living both at home and within the nursing home. Also, poor lighting makes it hard for seniors with impaired vision to see where they’re going, as uneven surfaces may lead them to slip or trip easily over obstacles.

Common Types of Falls in Seniors

The first type of fall is known as “intrinsic fall,” which occurs when there is an internal factor causing the individual’s balance system not to function properly, such as dizziness from medication side effects or inner ear problems like vertigo that affect equilibrium and coordination, leading them off balance and thus resulting in a fall.

The second type of fall is extrinsic, where external forces cause someone’s feet to slip out from underneath them on wet floors, rugs without non-skid backing, etc. Additionally, physical impairments due to lack of strength, vision impairment, and poor reflexes also contribute toward extrinsic falling.

Fall Prevention Tips for Seniors

The first step is making sure living areas are free from clutter so nothing trips them up when walking around the house.

Installing grab bars near toilets may also help prevent falls while getting on and off the toilet seat safely; adding handrails along staircases will provide additional support when climbing stairs.

Adding non-slip mats in bathrooms where floors tend to get wet after showers may help with grip on slippery surfaces.

Installing night lights throughout hallways will make it easier for seniors who wake up at night needing assistance moving around without having difficulty finding their way back into bed.

Ensure any area rugs have slip-resistant backing material to help keep them securely placed against flooring surfaces, reducing trip hazards within home environments too!

 Conclusion

Falls can lead to serious injuries, including broken bones, head trauma, and even death. As people age, they become more prone to falls due to physiological changes that occur in the body, as well as environmental factors. Caregivers of elderly individuals need to be aware of the different types of falls so they can take steps toward prevention and reduce their risk for injury or worse outcomes.