What Causes Falls?

Falls can be caused by a loss of balance, side effects from medication, poor vision, weakness in your legs or trunk, or environmental conditions such as wet floors, icy driveways and so on. Other medical conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or diabetes are also risk factors associated with falls. Many older people, being afraid of falls, voluntarily restrict their activities, and become less active. This can lead to muscle weakness, poor balance, and joint stiffness which can actually increase the chances of a fall.

Did You Know…

  • More than 90% of hip fractures occur in adults who are 65 or older?
  • Women are three times more likely to be hospitalized after a fall than men?
  • Women have a 1 in 7 chance of having a hip fracture in their lifetime and men a 1 in 17 chance?
  • That falls are more frequent for residents in nursing homes?
  • That more than 350,000 hip fractures occur every year in the US?

How Can I Prevent a Fall?

Falls are not just the result of getting older, but as you age, falls become more dangerous. Most falls can be prevented by addressing the things listed here:

1. Begin a regular exercise program.

The most critical action seniors can take to help prevent falls is to maintain physical activity. Regular exercise makes you stronger and helps you feel better. Balance may be improved with exercises that strengthen the ankle, knee and hip muscles and with exercises that improve the function of the vestibular (balance) system. Your physical therapist can recommend activities at any fitness level. Activities such as gardening, line dancing, or yoga can help improve balance and movement. You may also want to consider joining an organized program at your local community center or gym.

2. Make your home safer.

 Remove things you can trip over from stairs and places where you walk. Shoes, electrical cords, and magazines can be hazardous in walkways.

  • Repair broken or worn steps and repair/install handrails on stairs.
  • Ensure there is good lighting on stairs and walkways.
  • Consider adding night lights where overhead lighting is lacking.
  • Always keep a charged flashlight near your bed for emergencies.
  • Don’t use step stools. Put regularly used items on shelves within easy reach between hip and eye level.
  • A long-handled reacher/grasper can be used to reach objects.
  • Throw rugs are a tripping hazard and should be removed.
  • Have grab bars put in next to your toilet and in the bathtub or shower.
  • Avoid pulling up on the sink to get up from the toilet or bathtub. Bathroom sinks are generally not securely fastened to the wall or floor, and are not intended to support your weight.
  • Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and shower.
  • Consider installing a non-skid shower chair and hand-held shower head to enable you to sit while bathing.
  • Spills on the floor can be dangerous. It is best to wipe up spills as soon as they happen.
  • Try to sit on furniture with good back support that you can get into and out of easily and your feet touch the floor when sitting. Firm chairs with arm rests are easiest to get out of.
  • Wear shoes that give good support and have non-slip soles.

3. Ask a health care professional to review your medicines.

Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to review all medications you are taking. Make sure to include over-the-counter medicine, such as cold medicine or herbal supplements. As you get older, the way some medications work in your body can change. Some medicines, or combinations of medicines, can make you drowsy or light-headed which can lead to a fall.

4. Have your vision checked.

Poor vision increases the risk of falling. You could be wearing the wrong glasses or have a condition such as glaucoma or cataracts which limits your vision.