Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults age 65 or older.
They are most likely to happen at home. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are also the leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI), accounting for 48% of all TBI-related emergency department visits and 52% of TBI-related hospitalizations.
Risk factors for falls include impaired vision, cognitive impairment, balance or gait abnormalities, lower extremity weakness, sedative use, polypharmacy, and environmental causes (inadequate lighting, rugs, lack of railings). There are a variety of complications that can occur as a result of falls in the older population. Some examples include hip fractures, subdural hemorrhage or brain bleeds, traumatic brain injury, skull fractures, and ecchymosis or bruising.
The following steps can be taken to reduce the odds of dangerous falls:
Exercise
Conditioning exercises help maintain flexibility and muscle strength. They also improve balance and increase the amount of time a person can be active. All of these things contribute to a decreased chance of falling in the home.
Have support at home
Having support at home is crucial in preventing falls. This can involve providing close supervision and assisting in transfers from sitting to standing as well as ensuring individuals are utilizing a prescribed assistive device (cane, walker) when ambulating.
Maintain a trip-free environment
It may sound obvious, but removing tripping hazards is key to preventing falls. Removing throw rugs and other objects that can easily be tripped on, and ensuring that each room has adequate lighting to illuminate all obstacles are both easy steps to avoid a dangerous fall.
Accessibility improvements
Fitting a home for accessible use will decrease the likelihood of falls. Common steps to improve accessibility include installing grab bars and utilizing tub benches in the bathroom.
One of the most common hazards in the home is the stairs. Augmenting them with handrails or covering them with ramps can aid in preventing falls at home.
