Falls In The Elderly
As we age, the risk of falling increases. 1 in 3 people over the age of 70 will fall. Those who do fall in any given year increase their risk of having subsequent falls. At least 95% of hip fractures are caused by falls, which cost billions of dollars in medical expenses and increase the mortality of seniors. Most falls occur at home with the majority of those falls occurring in the bedroom and bathroom. The ability to have good balance is essential to preventing falls. A lack of lower body strength and flexibility increases your risk of falls. Impaired vision, inner ear problems, illness, and certain medications also increase your risk of falling. Since most falls occur in the home, there are some simple modifications that you can make to your home that may increase your safety.

Bathroom:

• Leave a light on in the bathroom at night for safety or install a nightlight
• Keep towels and toiletries within easy reach
• Avoid using bath oils and creams while in the shower or bathtub
• Purchase a tub-seat for inside your tub or shower so that you can sit while you bathe
• Install grab-bars in the bathroom to make it easier to get in and out of the tub or off the toilet
• Place a non-skid mat in the bathtub or shower, or purchase aqua-shoes

Bedroom:

• Place a light and telephone on your bedside table
• Leave a pair of slippers with soles that grip beside your bed
• Make sure that you have a clear path from the bedroom to the bathroom
• When getting out of bed, give yourself some time to wake-up first

Stairs:

• Make sure that stairwells are well lit
• Install railings so that you have something to hold onto

General:

• Wear proper fitting shoes
• Sit in sturdy chairs that have arms
• Make sure that you have adequate lighting in your home
• THROW OUT YOUR SCATTER RUGS
• Tack down any rugs with detached edges
• Remove electrical cords and clutter from your walking path

Not all of these recommendations may be appropriate for each individual. You may want to consult your physician or a physical therapist who can help to assess your risk of having a fall and give you more specific recommendations.

How Peoplefit can help
Peoplefit Health and Fitness Center is devoted to improving the health and wellness of people in the greater Woburn community. We use our expertise to create safe and effective individualized exercise programs in order to help you reach your goals. If you would like to speak with a physical therapist about exercise and its effects on any health related condition, please contact us.