SafetyIssues Personal and Public Safety News Articles: Why Prevent Falls Among Seniors?

Why Prevent Falls Among Seniors?
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Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 11/10/08 09:09:00
 
Falls, regardless of how minor the resulting injury, can give solid advance
warning of something wrong. Falls can be like strokes in the degree of harm they
can do to the patient. While some patients do recover from the injury, for many
others it can lead to a host of physical and emotional problems, such as social
isolation, depression, muscle atrophy, and pneumonia.
Yet many older people avoid reporting falls or asking for help. They are afraid
their families will consider them unable to take care of themselves and move
them to nursing homes.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than a
third of adults aged 65 and older in the U.S. suffer falls at least once each
year.
In 2005, the latest year for which data are available, the CDC said 1.8 million
people age 65 and over seniors received treatments in hospital emergency rooms
for nonfatal injuries and 15,800 seniors died as a result of injuries from
unintentional falls.
Up to 30 percent of people who fall sustain severe injuries including hip
fractures and head traumas. These injuries make it difficult for the patient to
move around and reduce their ability to live independently. The risks of early
death also increase.
The loss of 15,800 lives due to complications from fall-related injuries is
unfortunate. But what may not always be seen in the statistics are those who
survive the direct effects of falls but live a little longer with the
consequences.
This is where depression can set in, as they find it difficult emotionally to
accept their situation. The limited ability to get around makes the patient
waste away faster. About 20 percent of seniors who suffer hip fractures die
within twelve months after they undergo surgery for the injury.
Physical trauma can be extensive in falls. Older people used to taking five
medications on the average may suddenly need ten medications when they suffer a
fall. This can seriously undermine their body systems already weakened by age.
Psychological trauma may even be more devastating. They lose confidence, they
stop going to places they used to, and they become socially isolated.
To some extent, falls are preventable.  The person may be advised to change
their gait and to try keeping their blood pressure low. Doctors may try to treat
health conditions like arrhythmia and declining vision.
Safety Tips:
* Engage in regular exercise, especially exercises that improve balance and
muscle strength, like Tai Chi.
* Ask your doctor to review your medicines, with the object to lessen side
effects.
* Make sure to have your eyes/vision checked at least once every year.
* Make the lighting in your home brighter to aid your vision.
* Have loose rugs removed.
* Have your home hazard-checked to remove potential causes for falls.