Balance and Older Adults

The fear of falling is a very real concern to most Seniors.  According to one recent survey, one out of three adults 65 years old and older falls each year.  Less than half of this number talk to their healthcare providers about their falls even though they are the number one cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries for this age group.

Falls are the leading cause of fractures, hospital admissions for trauma, loss of independence, and trauma deaths for Seniors.  Each year, more than 1.6 million older U.S. adults go to emergency departments for fall-related injuries.  The fall risk only increases with age.  People age 75 and older who fall are four to five times more likely than those age 65 to 74 to be admitted to a long-term care facility for a year or longer.

Most often, fall-related fractures are in the person's hip, pelvis, spine, arm, hand, or ankle.  Of these, hip fractures are one of the most serious types of fall injury. They are a leading cause of injury and loss of independence, among older adults. Women are particularly at risk for injuries resulting from falls.  In fact, almost twice as many women as men report hip fractures from falls.

So what can one do to minimize the risk of falling?  Blanche Forrester, Sun Valley Lodge’s assisted living manager, helps our residents deal with the risk every day.  Blanche recommends the following general rules to help keep Lodge residents safe:

·         Exercise regularly with an emphasis on increasing leg strength and improving balance.  It is important to keep challenging yourself over time by increasing exercise intensity. Tai Chi and yoga programs are especially good. Because of their emphasis on flexibility and coordination.

·         Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines—both prescription and over-the counter—to identify medicines that may cause side effects or interactions such as dizziness or drowsiness.

·         Make your home safer by reducing tripping hazards, adding grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower and next to the toilet, adding railings on both sides of stairways, and improving the lighting.

To lower the risk of hip fracture, Blanche suggests the following steps:

·         Make sure to get adequate calcium and vitamin D—from food and/or from supplements.  But, you want to make sure that to discuss any supplementation with your doctor to make sure that it does not interfere with your medications.

·         Regularly perform weight bearing exercises.

·         Get screened and, if needed, treated for osteoporosis.