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February Safety Newsletter (Sign up here to get upcoming newsletters - FREE!)

Senior Safety - Preventing Falls

Falls can be funny to kids and embarrassing for adults but the consequences of a fall for older individuals can be just plain disastrous! Older adults generally have longer recovery times and longer hospital stays. The chance of brain injury from a fall climbs quickly after age 70, many times leading to permanent impairment and sometimes even death.

Statistics show that one of every three people age 65 and older, fall each year. Sixty percent of these falls occur at home, 30% in public places and 10% in health care facilities like hospitals and nursing homes.

Many falls for people over 65 result from problems with gait (poorly fitting shoes, foot problems) and balance, musculoskeletal disabilities (arthritis, fibromyalgia), psychoactive medications (pain killers, anti-depressants), dementia and vision impairment.

Falls in the home can be caused by slippery surfaces, uneven floors, stairs, poor lighting, loose rugs, unstable furniture and objects on the floor.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued these recommendations to help seniors avoid falls:

  • Exercise to gain strength and improve balance. Many specifically recommend Tai Chi because it is low impact and easily adapted to fitness levels. Senior and other community centers often list Tai Chi classes that are free or very low cost.
  • Inspect your home for hazards like the ones mentioned above. See the list of resources below for a check list you can use to help identify problems.
  • Review medications with your doctor or pharmacist to determine those that may impair your balance or make it dangerous to walk near traffic. Together you may be able to figure out which times are best to stay put and which are safe to pursue normal activities.
  • Have your vision checked every year to ensure that you can safely drive, walk or just get around the house and yard.
Here are a few more detailed resources from the CDC on the subject:

What You Can Do To Prevent Falls
Preventing Falls Among Seniors

Also, take a look at these great resources for senior safety beyond preventing falls.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police web site features these straight forward, tips to prevent common crimes against seniors including home, street and in-vehicle robbery. The article also includes an eye opening section on common scams and how to avoid them. See the article here.

One more resource from the Canada Safety Council is a reminder about on pedestrian safety for seniors that looks at the issue from both angles – protecting pedestrians while you are driving as well as protecting yourself while you are on foot. Click here to read the article.

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