Top 5 Causes of Falls

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BrightStar Care of Port Charlotte

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Sep 04, 2024

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Florida - Sarasota, Bradenton & Charlotte Counties

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Why is Falling Serious for Seniors?

Did you know that older adults often fear falling, even if they haven’t fallen in the past? This makes sense, because falling, even from something as simple as tripping on a rug or slipping on a wet floor can result in broken bones. For an older person, a broken bone is very serious, so for seniors, fall prevention is crucial. A fall can sometimes be the start of serious health problems or lead to long-term disability. More than one in four people over age 65 fall each year(Opens in a new window), and falling causes 90 percent of hip fractures. The risk of falling and breaking a bone increases with age, but there are proactive measures you can take to help your older loved ones reduce their risk of falling and increase their longevity. The first step is to identify fall risk factors with your loved ones, in order to take precautionary measures.

Five Top Causes of Falls

By knowing the top causes of falls(Opens in a new window) in elderly people, you can take steps to protect your older loved ones.

1. Impaired Vision

Older people often have vision problems like cataracts and glaucoma, which alter depth perception and visual acuity as well as limit their peripheral vision, making them more susceptible to glare. These issues can make it more difficult to navigate the home safely and anticipate or notice hazards in time to prevent a fall. Even wearing bifocal or varifocal lenses can affect depth perception and make it hard to go down stairs.

2. Home Hazards

It is easy to overlook fall hazards in the home(Opens in a new window), but being proactive about removing them can greatly reduce the risk of falls. Home hazards include:

  • Steps or stairways that are poorly lit or have loose/unsecure handrails or, worse, no handrails
  • Poorly lit hallways and walkways
  • Clutter blocking pathways
  • Pets that may get underfoot
  • Loose wires, rugs, or other objects that can cause tripping
  • Bathroom or kitchen tile without non-slip tread
  • Showers and bathtubs without non-slip basins, or missing grab bars
  • Important items not kept within easy reaching distance

3. Medication

Certain medications can cause side effects like dizziness, light-headedness, unsteadiness, drowsiness, blurred or double vision, and reduced mental alertness. Some medications can affect balance and cause a drop in blood pressure while standing. Taking four or more medicines, often referred to as polypharmacy, can increase the risk of falling(Opens in a new window), especially with those that are considered high risk medications. Opiates, diuretics, anti-depressants, sedatives, blood pressure medication and anticonvulsants are some examples of high-risk medications that pose a higher risk for falls among the elderly. It is important to talk to your doctor and be aware of any potential side effects.

4. Weakness and Poor Balance

As people age, they lose muscle mass. This can cause problems with balance and gait. To reduce muscle loss, older people should remain active and try balance and strength training exercises like yoga, Pilates and tai chi.

5. Chronic Conditions

Certain conditions, like Parkinson’s, hearing problems, diabetes, heart disease or issues with the thyroid, nerves, blood vessels or feet, can increase fall risk factors. Conditions like diabetes can cause neuropathy, which involves numbness, tingling, weakness, or burning in the feet, and this can make it difficult to walk without stumbling. Heart disease can also make people unsteady on their feet. Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that causes motor symptom that include stiffness, tremor, impaired balance, shuffling gait, and changes to the center of gravity. Incontinence, which causes people to rush to the bathroom, can also increase the risk of falling(Opens in a new window).

Preparing Your Home for Fall Prevention: How to Prevent Falls

Fall prevention at home for seniors is important for keeping your loved ones safe. Here are 10 tips to prevent falls at home(Opens in a new window).

  1. Check stairs and steps to make sure none are broken or uneven and all have sturdy handrails on either side. Install anti-slip stair treads for slippery hardwood stairs.
  2. Make sure there is adequate lighting, especially around entryways, in hallways and at the top and bottom of stairs.
  3. Install grab bars in the bathroom, by the toilet and in showers and tubs.
  4. Remove any throw rugs to prevent them from tripping.
  5. Keep pathways and stairways free from clutter.
  6. Consider adding strips of bright or contrasting colors in places you have trouble seeing, like the stairs or grab bars, handrails or any uneven surfaces.
  7. Keep commonly used items within easy reach to avoid the use of step stools and chairs.
  8. Install a bed rail to provide support getting in and out of bed.
  9. Clean spills immediately to reduce the risk of slipping.
  10. Fall-proof your bathroom with non-slip rubber grips in the shower or tub, a shower chair, hand-held shower head or even a walk-in bathtub.

The Warning Signs and Risk Factors of Falling

The more risk factors(Opens in a new window) a person has, the greater the risk of falling. Pay attention to your older loved ones, looking for signs of the following risk factors,, and consider a risk assessment(Opens in a new window) if you are concerned about any of the following:

  • Muscle weakness
  • Worsening eyesight
  • Declining hearing
  • Uneven gait or poor balance
  • Pain in hips, knees, ankles or feet, including injuries or stiffness
  • Dependence on supports for walking, getting up or sitting down
  • Chronic physical ailments, including hypertension, diabetes, arthritis incontinence, or Parkinson’s
  • Cognitive impairment or decline
  • New prescription medications with side effects that can increase the risk of falling
  • Overuse of alcohol or abuse of narcotics
  • Blackouts or fainting
  • Changes in sleeping habits

High Quality Care for Older Adults

BrightStar Care® takes a comprehensive approach to fall prevention, pairing our unmatched clinical expertise with educational resources to help and empower families. Our agencies can perform a home safety evaluation, assessing possible risks and making recommendations regarding accessibility modifications. Then, at every reassessment, an RN will do a further safety check, educating the client and family on fall risks and ways to reduce them.

Additionally, by contracting for home care with us, you will be ensuring that someone ist there to help with things that could be hazardous, like reaching high shelves, bathing, or climbing stairs. In some cases, physical therapy may be helpful in building strength to prevent falls. When you partner with BrightStar, you gain the assistance of a caring, compassionate team, dedicated to keeping your loved one safe and healthy.

Find a BrightStar Care® Location Near You 

Looking for in-home care services or assisted living for your loved one or a reliable medical staffing partner for your organization? Our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location near you, contact us online, or call 866.618.7827 to speak with a local care expert and learn more about how BrightStar Care offers A Higher Standard®.

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Local Services By This Author

BrightStar Care of Port Charlotte

Non-Medical 1777 Tamiami Trail #408, Port Charlotte, Florida, 33948

BrightStar Home Care's commitment to providing high-quality, person-centered care shines through their dedication to improving the lives of individuals in need. Their focus on delivering a higher standard of care ensures that each client receives the personalized support they deserve, tailored to their unique needs and preferences.The recognition BrightStar Home Care Port Charlotte has received, including Joint Commission accreditation, speaks volumes about their commitment to excellence and adherence to rigorous healthcare quality standards. Achieving and maintaining this accreditation demonstrates their dedication to ensuring the highest level of care and safety for their clients.By adhering to BrightStar Care policies and procedures, state licensure requirements, and Joint Commission standards, they provide peace of mind to clients and their families, knowing that their loved ones are receiving care of the highest caliber.Furthermore, BrightStar Home Care's emphasis on clinical quality not only ensures the safety and well-being of clients but also plays a crucial role in preventing hospital readmissions. This proactive approach to care underscores their commitment to promoting positive health outcomes and enhancing the overall quality of life for those they serve.Overall, BrightStar Home Care's dedication to excellence, person-centered care, and clinical quality sets a commendable standard in the home care industry, providing invaluable support and peace of mind to individuals and families during challenging times.

BrightStar Care of Port Charlotte

Home Health 1777 Tamiami Trail #408, Port Charlotte, Florida, 33948

BrightStar Care of Venice and Port Charlotte is dedicated to providing the best in-home care for you or a loved one. We are a Nurse Owned and Family Operated Private Duty Home Care Agency offering Companion Services (meal prep, transportation, light housekeeping), Personal Care (bathing, dressing, transfers), and Skilled Care (assessments, medication management, med box fills). We also provide Medical Staffing. BrightStar Care is Joint Commission Accredited and Awarded Leader in Excellence, Provider of Choice and Employer of Choice 2016 - 2020 by Home Care Pulse. All caregivers are background checked, drug tested, bonded and insured. We are available 24/7...Just a phone call away!