Falls are a leading cause of injury and death in the senior population.  There are many sources of information on the outcome and consequences of a fall for the elderly.  Some of the statistics include these from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) www.cdc.gov.  One of every three adults over the age of 65 fall annually.  Falls are not the exclusive purview of nursing homes or assisted living facilities.  They happen to community living seniors nearly as frequently because the lack of awareness.  There are some smart things that you can do if you are in the at risk group.

Fall problems are divided into two general categories those being intrinsic and extrinsic factors.  Intrinsic factors include things that part of your make up.  Extrinsic factors are external to you.  You can start taking control of the extrinsic factors by doing a safety assessment of the environment where you live.

The following is a partial list of some of the intrinsic factors and their related risk.

• Vision impairment – unable  to see fall risk
• Hearing impairment – unable to respond   to dangerous situations
• Dementia – inability to recognize the fall risk
• Dizziness – unable to maintain balance when you stand
• Arthritis – joints give out when you attempt to stand
• Foot problems – Medicare pays for routine podiatry (foot doctor) visits
• Blood pressure problems – either too high or too low
• Medications – polypharmacy or many medications including over the counter
• Balance problems – from diseases like strokes, medication or inner ear related
• Weakness – from lack of exercise and use of muscles or prolonged illness
• Osteoporosis – soft bones leading to fracture before the fall and difficulty healing
• Poor nutrition and weight loss – weakness and inadequate protein to maintain muscle
• Bladder or bowel problems – rushing to the bathroom
• Chronic diseases – impact the ability of the body to respond to changes in posture, strength, gait, blood flow

Extrinsic factors are things in your environment that can lead to falls.  These are in  your home, the home of friends and neighbors and in public places like malls, churches and restaurants.

• Throw rugs- tape to floor or better remove
• Ill fitting or inappropriate foot wear – poor footing and slipping
• Poor lighting – unable to see fall risks or shadows
• Uneven steps or sidewalks – brain does not compensate for uneven surfaces
• Stairways without hand rails – stairs require special balance and gait for safety
• Bathroom safety – elevated toilet seats, shower chairs, grab bars
• Inclement weather – slippery sidewalks, porches and steps
• Pets or children under feet – do not move or see and trip hazard
• Extension cords – trip due to loss of vision or ability to pick up the foot
• Storage on high shelves – use of step stools or reaching causing loss of  balance
• Step stools – move frequently used items to lower shelves
• Spring loaded doors – door closes with too much pressure and causes fall
• Elevators – close too quickly and get caught causing fall     

Falls are not a part of aging.  While seniors have more falls, they can be prevented by using common sense approaches to enhance safety.  The first rule is, if it seems unsafe, do not do it!  While it is difficult for many of us to ask for assistance because our life long independence, that pride of independence can be deadly for a senior.  Recognize fall risks prospectively.  In discussion with seniors after the fall and injury, many will state that they knew that the action was unsafe, but they did it anyway.  Do not take chances that are unnecessary.  It is difficult to ask  for help and admit that you can do everything yourself, but every stage of your life required some changes and aging is no different. 

When a senior falls they have adverse consequences that are devastating.  Research by Coogler provides the following statistics for seniors and falls.

One fourth of elderly persons who sustain a hip fracture die within 6 months of the injury. More than 50% of older patients who survive hip fracture are discharged to a nursing home and nearly half of these patients are still in the nursing home a year later.  Hip fracture survivors experience 10 to 15 percent decrease in life expectancy and a meaningful decline in overall quality of life.

If you sustain a fall and are having pain, do not ignore it.  Delaying diagnosis and treatment can  lead to worsening consequences.  Know the symptoms of a fracture.  The classic signs and symptoms of a hip fracture are that the injured leg is shorter and it rotates externally or turns outward.  With a hip fracture you may still be able to walk, but feel pain in the buttock, knee, thigh, groin or back.  Signs and symptoms of any fracture include some of the following:  pain at the site of the injury, pain adjacent to the site or referred pain, limitation of use of the limb or bruising at the site. 

One of the most important fall prevention strategies for people of any age is exercise.  Walking at least 15 minutes a day has been shown to make a positive impact on fall risk.  Lifting weights is also excellent strengthening muscles and bones.  Other types of activities exercise that have been shown to benefit seniors at risk for calls is yoga and tai chi.  Anything you do to keep your muscles strong, your joints flexible and that stresses your heart a bit is healthy for you.  If you have not exercised in the past, do not start any exercise program without checking with your healthcare provider first.