Falls and Prevention Tips for Older People

Everyone falls and slips here and there, regardless of whether the person is a baby or a fully grown adult.

Sometimes it’s a wet floor, it might be an unsecured rug, or just someone missing a step. A fall can sometimes be painful, sure. Other times, it results in hospital visits. For older people, a fall can take away the freedom to live on their own and cause serious injury, meaning for older people falls are particularly dangerous.

But in knowing that, it gives us a window to prepare for it. Making a few minor preventive changes around the house brings that extra bit of safety, a huge difference when it comes to preventing accidents.

Fall Risk and What Causes It

If you don’t pay attention to where you’re walking, you can slip and fall. That part is obvious.

There’s the added fact that elders can lose balance and fall much faster and more easily than adults. That’s because as we age, the body changes, so it isn’t as corpulent as before – eye vision can get worse, legs get more easily tired, and reactions become slower.

Many older people also take medication for better sleep, blood pressure, and overall health, which can also disrupt their overall motor skills and balance due to various negative side effects (e.g., dizziness, low blood pressure, blurred vision, etc.). )

As people age, health problems and medications make everyday tasks more risky, and that needs to be worked around even when it comes to the most common tasks.

Places Where Falls Happen

When you fall, you don’t ‘choose’ a place or time – it just happens.

Sure, a fall can happen out of nowhere, but there are also spots where older people have a higher risk of slipping or tripping. Studies have shown that approximately 70% of accidents happen in the comfort of our own home. 

The bathroom is a classic accident scene.

Wet floors, slippery tiles, tubs, etc. When combined with an older person, it can lead to trips and slips. And since the bathroom is also more compact than other rooms, this also means that you might hit your head more easily, resulting in serious injury (or worse).

Stairs are another very common place where many accidents tend to happen; even just missing a step can cause a devastating tumble.

Another danger zone is the kitchen, where everyone cooks, makes a cup of coffee, and enjoys good meals. For older adults, the risk is even higher. Reaching for something on higher shelves, spilling liquids, and carrying hot items could lead to slips.

The living room is sneaky because there are spots such as rugs, cables, and extra surprises on the floor that can trip anyone up.

Of course, there are areas outside of the home that can be tricky, as well. Uneven sidewalks, icy entrances, or hidden puddles turn a ‘safe’, innocent walk into unplanned (and unwanted) acrobatics.

Public places such as stores and bank offices should have safe infrastructure so that everyone can walk around without risking a fall, and leave the owners liable for premises-related accidents.

Prevention Tips

While falls and older adults are a serious concern, the good thing is that taking the right steps can help prevent falls.

Here are a few effective ones:

Home safety

• Good lighting makes it easier to see where to go, especially at night.
• Grab bars should be installed on stairs, in bathrooms, and in areas where seniors can provide extra support when needed.
• Clean floors without many rugs and clutter help move around safely without worries of tripping over a cable. In the kitchen, every item should be easy to reach and use, avoiding any dangerous chair climbs.

Outdoor Safety

• Good footwear is crucial for preventing tumbles, especially for those with non-slip soles.
• Be aware as much as possible of your surroundings and watch your step.
• Mobility aids such as walkers, canes, or crutches bring extra support in balance.
• No need to rush. Slowly, but secure steps can bring you to your destination. Step by step.

Building Strength

• Any physical activity can help. Strength and balance exercises are effective for prevention. Powerful muscles and coordination are the key to stability. A simple, short walk also helps in keeping muscles active.
• Mental exercise can be helpful. Mental exercises such as focusing, light brain games boost concentration and improve awareness.

Ask for help

• An elder should have at least one person who can assist, a family member, friend, or neighbor. Having someone for errands or just company can make life easier.

How and What to Do When a Fall Happens?

Even if you go to great lengths with precautions, accidents are still bound to happen.

If it does, stay calm and check for injury first; sometimes, because of the confusion and adrenaline, you might not notice that a serious injury has happened.

If there’s a need for help, call family, friends, or emergency services. When someone is really hurt, proper care is critical and could sometimes be a determining factor in even life and death scenarios. If you found yourself as a victim of someone’s carelessness, which led to you slipping/falling and getting injured, it’s best to contact a lawyer who deals in such cases often and see whether you have grounds for filing a slip and fall lawsuit. It’s not just about compensation, but also about bringing awareness to a deeper issue that led to the injury happening in the first place, plus helping prevent such an accident in the future.

A photo or a video of the accident scene is a great thing to do. A check with a doctor should be mandatory because some injuries aren’t obvious right away, and the medical records can also be used as evidence later on.

For older adults who’ve suffered an accident, it’s also advised to get emotional support to help them deal with the non-physical injuries – friends/family, or even help from a professional will be of great benefit to the victim.

Conclusion

Accidents are oftentimes unexpected. But with a little awareness and a few preventive changes, older people can stay safe and way more independent, which not only helps their family members but also improves their quality of life greatly.

Staying alert, getting the needed support, and making homes safe help make for a better life, regardless of our age.