Senior Fall Prevention

The Facts About Falls

• Falls are a serious public health problem among older adults. In the United States, one of every three people 65 years and older falls each year.

• Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths among people 65 years and older.

• In 1998, about 9,600 people over the age of 65 died from fall-related injuries.

• The risk of falling increases with age.

• Of all fall deaths, more that 60% involve people who are 75 years or older.

• For people age 65 and older, more than half of all falls happen at home.

• Older adults who fall once are two to three times as likely to fall again within a year.

• Falls account for 87% of all fractures for people 65 years and older. They are also the second leading cause of spinal cord and brain injury among older adults.

• Among older adults, fractures are the most serious health outcomes associated with falls. The most common are fractures of the pelvis, hip, femur, vertebrae, humerus, hand, forearm, leg, and ankle.

• Of all fractures from falls, hip fractures cause the greatest number of deaths and lead to the most severe health problems.

• At least 95% of hip fractures are caused by falls.

• Half of all older adults hospitalized for hip fractures cannot return home or live independently after their injuries.

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What We Are Doing to Prevent Falls

• Home Safe Home:A program to help seniors remain safe and independent in their own Salt Lake area homes. Interested seniors can sign up for a free home safety inspection. A safety team, including a firefighter and an AARP volunteer, inspect the home for fall hazards and fire hazards using the Home Safe Home checklist. The team then talks with the home owner about what they found and gives recommendations for making the home safer. The home owner receives a free Home Safe Home gift bag containing incentive items and written materials.

• Presentation:A Power Point presentation outlines fall prevention in the home. The presentation goes through each room of the home, discussing possible hazards and suggesting ways to make the home safer. This presentation is great for senior or caregiver groups.

• Senior Safety Bingo:This is a great way to review home safety, fall prevention, and traffic safety issues with seniors while keeping their attention. Game cards contain 48 different graphics which prompt discussion of various safety topics. Works well at senior centers or with senior groups.

• Display:This display was created for senior health fairs. The focus is on products that help prevent falls in the home. Several products are shown (such as rug gripper and long-life light bulbs) along with explanations of how they work to help prevent falls.

• Vial of Life: An emergency medical information program to alert paramedics of critical information after a 9-1-1 call from the participant’s home. Each participant receives a large medicine bottle, which contains a form detailing medical conditions, allergies, important numbers, and other information.

• Injury Prevention Classes: Approximately one-hour classes with various topics, geared to older adults who are independent or reside in assisted living facilities. These classes are also adaptable for in-service training for health providers to such seniors. Examples include: “Avoid Erratic Drivers”; “Walking Safety”; “Making Exercise Work for You”; and “Personal Safety”.

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Exercise is one of the most important ways to reduce your chances of falling. It makes you stronger and helps you feel better. Exercises that improve balance and coordination (like Tai Chi) are the most helpful.

Lack of exercise leads to weakness and increases your chances of falling.

Ask your doctor or health care worker about the best type of exercise program for you.

About half of all falls happen at home. To make your home safer:

• Remove things you can trip over (such as papers, books, clothes, and shoes) from stairs and places where you walk.
• Remove small throw rugs or use double-sided tape to keep the rugs from slipping.
• Keep items you use often in cabinets you can reach easily without using a step stool.
• Have grab bars put in next to your toilet and in the tub or shower.
• Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.
• Improve the lighting in your home. As you get older, you need brighter lights to see well. Lamp shades or frosted bulbs can reduce glare.
• Have handrails and lights put in on all staircases.
• Wear shoes that give good support and have thin non-slip soles. Avoid wearing slippers and athletic shoes with deep treads.

Have your doctor or pharmacist look at all the medicines you take (including ones that don’t need  prescriptions such as cold medicines). As you get older, the way some medicines work in your body can change. Some medicines, or combinations of medicines, can make you drowsy or light-headed which can lead to a fall.

Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor.  You may be wearing the wrong glasses or have a condition such as glaucoma or cataracts that limits your vision.  Poor vision can increase your chances of falling.

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Related Websites

For more information or to schedule any of these programs, contact Carol Avery 313-6606, or click to send email cavery@slco.org