Elderly Fall Risk and Prevention
Elderly falls are one of the most leading causes of hospitalizations in the senior community. Hospital stays are twice as long after a fall and are the leading cause of death in people over the age of 65. Many senior falls can be avoided with the proper attention to building muscle strength. Without the proper muscles the chances of balance loss increases.
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Falls are reported annually by one third of the senior community aged 65 and older. Below are some of the many risk factors with elderly falls.
- Most elderly people that fall will experience a second fall a short time later
- Hospital stays for the elderly fall clients are twice as long as a younger person
- The elderly are more likely to break bones due to a fall (I.e. Hip, ankle, leg, and arm)
- Elderly Falls can be fatal (I.e. 1 fourth of patients that fracture a hip pass away within 6 months of their injury)
There are ways to avoid or reduce the risk of elderly falls. Making sure that their home is safe is a first step. Loose carpets and cords, and slippery tiles are just a couple of things that are a cause of falls in the home. Cords and wires should be securely stored and put away from the floor, and carpets should be secured to the floor with carpet tape. Safely securing and storing cords, wires and carpets is a good start to preventing trips and falls.
It Is also a good idea to install railings in the bathroom for someone who is at risk for falling. Safety rails in the bathroom provide stability when getting out of the shower or using the restroom. The bathroom can be a dangerous place for seniors, especially if they have poor balance. For this reason it is recommended to install safety rails to provide that extra support and stability to avoid falls in the bathroom.
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With approximately over 9,000 deaths related to senior falls each year it is important to be proactive to avoid the falls all together. We have included a link below that shows 8 helpful tips on how to avoid trips and falls for seniors.