How to prevent falls among the elderly

Did you know that falls are the leading cause of death and injury among elderly people? In fact, last year alone, 1.6 elderly people were treated in emergency rooms for falls. However many of those falls can be prevented. Falls are not an inevitable part of growing older.

Why do seniors fall so much more than younger people? Here are some of the reasons:

Lack of physical activity.Many elderly people don't exercise regularly. As a result, they have reduced flexibility, poor muscle tone, problems with balance and decreased bone mass.

Vision problems.This includes age-related vision diseases, such as macular degeneration and cataracts. It also includes not wearing glasses that have been prescribed.

Medications.Many type of prescription medications increase the risk of falling. They may cause drowzyness, dizziness and other factors that could result in a fall.

Diseases.Common elderly health conditions including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and arthritis, cause weakness, loss of the ability to grip objects and handrails, trouble balancing and cognitive impairment.

Surgeries.Elderly people become weak after having surgeries, such as hip replacements or knee surgery. The often experience pain and discomfort and are less mobile than they were before the surgery.

Environmental hazards.One third of all elderly falls involve hazards in the home, such as loose carpets, not enough lighting, and lack of safety equipment such as handrails and grab bars.

However, falls are not an inevitable part of growing older. Many falls can be prevented, by making the home safer and using products that help keep seniors more stable and less likely to fall.

What can caregivers do to help prevent their elderly parents from falling? Read the full article to find out:

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