Staying Steady: Fall Prevention Strategies for Older Adults
INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTH - BOULDER
For more information about the author, click to view their website: Intermountain Health
Dec 13, 2024
Colorado - Boulder County
A simple accident, like tripping on a rug or slipping on a
patch of ice, can change your life. Every year, more than one in four adults 65
years or older experience a fall contributing to over three million emergency
department visits across the country.1 In 2023, Good Samaritan Hospital treated
787 trauma patients due to fall-related injuries, making falls the number one
trauma injury seen in Good Samaritan’s Emergency Department. Simply stated, the
risk of falling and fall-related problems increases as we age.
Why do falls happen?
Falls can result from a range of personal and environmental
factors. Hazards like dimly lit rooms, steep stairs, and hard-to-reach shelves
or storage areas present tripping risks. Additionally, as we age, changes in
our vision, hearing, and overall health can raise the risk of falls.
How to prevent falls
Fall prevention is about identifying and mitigating as many
risk factors for falling as possible. Take some time to do an inventory of your
home and your physical health to see if there are any risks present. Once
you’ve identified potential risk factors, you can take steps to address them.
• Remove home hazards. Remove clutter and items on the floor
and in areas where you walk. Secure electrical cords so they don’t block
walkways, and secure or remove any area rugs that bunch or slip.
• Make home modifications. Install grab bars near the toilet
and in your shower, install handrails along your stairs, have lightbulbs
replaced or install new lights in dark hallways and rooms, and use non-slip
mats in your shower or bathtub.
• Stay active. Regular physical activity and exercise keeps your muscles strong, prevents bone loss, and can improve your balance. Walking, water workouts, or Tai Chi are great activities that improve strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility. Be sure to consult your physician before beginning any new exercise program.
Taking care of your overall health and acknowledging your
risk factors for falling is extremely important as we age. If you’re not sure
where to start, schedule time with your primary care physician to discuss a
plan for you or your loved one to keep you healthy, happy, and safe in your
home and community.
1 About STEADI. (2024, April 22). Center for
Disease Control. https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/about/index.html
Editor’s Note: This article was submitted by Lindsay
Reinert, PMP, Marketing Specialist with Intermountain Health. She may be
reached by email at lindsay.reinert@imail.org.
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