Senior Falls: Facts and Helpful Hints

Proactively preparing for falls should be a vital part of your life, as the data on falls for older adults shows just how common these incidents are. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC), millions of people aged 65 and older fall each year. 

The Main Causes of Falls for Older Adults. Environmental hazards around the home, medication side effects, impaired vision, reduction of coordination and balance, chronic disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and peripheral neuropathy.

While the idea of a fall might be downright scary, it’s not all doom and gloom! There are plenty of proactive ways you can prepare to reduce your risk of a slip or trip.

Mobility Safety. Are you able to move about your residence safely? Take a moment to examine your home and follow these essential ways to safeguard you and your surroundings:

• Install no-slip tape to tile and hardwood floors.
• Ensure all wall-to-wall carpet is secure.
• Remove any throw or area rugs.
• Keep extension cords tucked away from foot traffic.
• Remove unnecessary floor clutter.
• Use a cane or walker for extra support and balance.
• Swap out laced shoes with Velcro sneakers.
• Wear shoes with non-slip soles. Avoid moving about your house with bare feet, socks, or slippers.
• Replace your existing living room chair with a power-lift assist recliner.
• For two-story homes, keep the staircases clear.
• Ensure all stairs have secure handrails on both sides of the stairs.
• Consider installing a stairlift.

Overall Safety.

• Keep a list of emergency contacts near every phone.
• Create a plan on how to call for help and who to call.
• Plug in a nightlight in every room.
• Have both a lamp and a light switch by the bedside.
• Keep flashlights in each room in case of a power outage.

What to Do if You Fall. If a fall occurs, it’s crucial to know how to get back up safely. Use the steps below as a guide:

1. Stay calm. Take several slow, deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.
2. Carefully examine yourself for injuries.
3. If you have a serious injury, such as bleeding, a broken bone, or head trauma, don’t attempt to move. Use your medical alert system or call 911.
4. If you haven’t suffered a severe injury and feel well enough to get up, slowly roll onto your side. From that position, get on your hands and knees. Crawl or drag yourself to a piece of furniture (like a chair) and use it as leverage to pull yourself up. Get into a kneeling position and place both hands firmly on the piece of furniture. Using your arms to steady yourself, push up with your legs, and slowly turn so that you’re sitting in the chair.
5. If you begin to feel dizzy at any point, remain on the floor and call for help.
6. No matter how minimal the fall, always alert your loved ones and your doctor of the incident. Falling once doubles your chances of falling again.
7. If you are unable to get up and others around are unable to help you up, call your closest fire department and ask for a “lift assist.”