With each passing year of life, changes occur little by little. The difference in the way you feel varies accordingly. Some seniors even feel like their 20-year-old selves, regardless of the changes happening to their bodies. And in many ways, age really is just a state of mind. That’s why it can be so challenging to accept some of the physical restrictions that approach us as we age.
There are many reasons why people experience more falls with age, and the danger is not in the accident itself. The danger lies in the recovery. The Centers for Disease Control reported that one in four older Americans over the age of 65 experiences a fall each year. On that account, falls have become the leading cause of injury and death within this age range.
Falls are no joke.
Common Reasons for Falls as We Age
It’s not as though all of a sudden you celebrate your 65th birthday and then you become more prone to falls. There are age-related health issues that evolve slowly over time, many of which can contribute to senior falls. So, why do aging adults tend to fall more?
As you age, your body undergoes significant changes. Bones gradually shrink, cells start to weaken, and the metabolism slows down. The changes associated with aging then impact your appearance and bodily functions. The National Institutes of Health identified some risk factors for senior falls, which include:
- Changes in balance: Whether due to a lack of exercise, neurological problems, or other medical conditions, your balance and center of gravity can change as you age. When balance becomes poor, falls are more likely to occur.
- Muscle loss: Both muscle and bone density lessen with age and can lead to senior falls. In part due to lack of exercise — or a lack of integrating strength training into your workout routine — or due to hormonal changes that older women experience in menopause, the loss of muscle and bone density can greatly increase your risk of falling with age.
- Loss of vision: Vision impairment can occur at any age, although it is not uncommon to notice a recognizable difference in your eyesight as you age. Many people begin to lose sharp focus in dim light or in darkness, which can lead to more falls occurring at night.
- Medication management: For various reasons, you are more likely to be taking regular prescription medications as you increase in age than when you are younger. Sometimes, a dangerous side effect of a new medication, or mixing certain medications, can be a sense of imbalance or dizziness and an increase in your risk of falling.
- Underlying diseases: Older adults with underlying medical problems are more prone to falls. Diabetes and heart problems are the two most common diseases that affect bodily functions, leading to falls among seniors.
- Cognitive impairment: While not always part of aging, older adults with dementia are at high risk of experiencing falls. Dementia affects memory, communication, visual perception, and bodily functions. The decrease in cognitive capabilities has an impact on a person's movements that may also result in falls.
- Environmental challenges: Cluttered spaces, poorly lit areas, and slippery surfaces contribute to the possibility of falling. Safety hazards also increase the likelihood of older adults falling.
These risks have very real results. The CDC found that in 2014, there were around 29 million falls in the U.S. alone, causing 7 million injuries. The numbers increased in 2018, with 35.6 million falls and 8.4 million injuries related to falls. While you can’t stop yourself from growing older, you can take definitive steps to help prevent falls from occurring.
Fall Prevention for Older Adults
Aside from regular visits to your physician, where you can be honest with them about any health-related changes that are happening to your body (including any side effects from medications), you can help prevent falls as you age in the following ways:
See Specialists
In addition to checkups with your general practitioner, be sure to schedule regular visits to specialists should you need them. That includes the eye doctor, a neurologist, or any other relevant physicians. Let your practitioners know about any significant changes in the way your body feels so they can run specific tests, provide the right diagnosis, and offer preventive measures.
Change Your Exercise Routine
Of course, that means that if you currently do not exercise at all, you should start. Exercise strengthens your joints and improves your range of motion. Create a program that suits your lifestyle and abilities. Picking the right exercise is vital for steering you toward a healthier body and overall well-being.
If you already have a regular exercise routine, be sure to incorporate strength training to help combat muscle loss. It’s also recommended to add balance-based exercises to the mix, such as tai chi or pilates, to aid in senior fall prevention. Yoga is also a great way to strengthen your core and your legs while also improving your mind.
Invest in Medical Alert Systems
Medical alert systems, like the ones we provide here at Medical Guardian, cater to a wide range of people, from active older adults to immobile or home-bound people. Medical alert systems are an affordable solution to how you think about falls, both inside and outside of the house. While they can’t prevent you from falling, they can greatly reduce your risk of injury after a fall has occurred, as they can connect you directly to a line to help within moments of experiencing a fall.
Make Changes In Your Home
The National Library of Medicine recorded that 72.8% of falls happen within the home, where we move around casually and spend most of our time. At 37.5%, the most common area in the home where falls occur is the bathroom. In this sense, it's important to make necessary alterations to your home to adapt to the changes in your body as you age.
Create changes around the house to help encourage senior fall prevention. Start by getting rid of clutter in areas with higher foot traffic. Tape down rugs that tend to buckle, especially the ones in the bathroom. You can also improve the lighting by installing brighter bulbs or nightlights. Add handrails on stairs so you can go up and down with ease.
Help at the Push of a Button
Ready to make the investment in a medical alert device for either yourself or a loved one? Purchase one of our Medical Guardian medical alert systems and ensure safety wherever you go. Our devices provide an immediate emergency response so you can live independently, in the comfort of your home, or even when life takes you outdoors. With a simple push of a button, the device connects you to a highly trained operator to give assistance in case of an emergency.
