Falls among older Australians and tips for prevention
Preventing falls is a major public health concern for all nations, because even simple falls are dangerous to personal well-being and costly to the community. Here in Australia up to 1000 people over 65 die every year due to falls, and the number of fall-related injuries requiring hospitalisation is over 45,000 yearly, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare studies. The rate of fall-related injury incidents is particularly high for the oldest age group, with women at greatest risk. Fall incidents commonly result in hip fracture or head injury.
With the changing demographics of all western countries there will be a growing number of older people living longer, and awareness and prevention of falls and fall injuries in this population is vitally important. As it is, the trend in fall injuries will continue to increase the demand for services and double health costs. According to researchers at the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the estimated total cost for fall-related care in Australian hospitals for people aged 65 and older in 2003-04 was $566.0 million.
Falls can also result in disability, functional decline, and reduced quality of life. The fear of falling can cause further loss of function, depression, feelings of helplessness, and social isolation. There are many things you can do to help prevent falls:
1.Begin a regular exercise program
Regular exercise is the best way to lower your chances of falling because it keeps you stronger, more agile, and able to balance better. Lack of exercise leads to weakness and increases your chances of falling. Choose something you enjoy doing, and then do it – such as walking, stretching, dancing, or Pilates (which was originally designed for people in rehabilitation and suits all levels of fitness).
If all the articles and reminders over the years have not been enough to get you to do some exercise this is finally the time to do something, because it only takes one serious fall to change your life forever. Start exercising, even if it is just a walk around the block! Every morning early, my wife and I walk for 45 minutes on a regular route. From September to May I also swim every day. Bodily exercise and spiritual exercise together are a good combination.
2.Have your GP review your medications
Have your GP or pharmacist review all of the medications you take regularly, including non-prescription medicines, vitamins and supplements as they can interact with each other. Some combinations of medications can cause you to feel dizzy, or sleepy, or have less control over your limbs, which means you are much more at risk of falling. Also, as you age your body may react differently to medications, so they need to be reviewed periodically. Recent studies have shown that within the first few days of starting, stopping or changing medications is a time very risky for falls, so be especially vigilant at that time.
3.Have your vision checked regularly
It is best to have your vision checked at least once a year. An optometrical consultation will include tests for glaucoma and cataracts as well as examination of the back of the eye for signs of retinal disease such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, etc. A full assessment of the eye’s visual function and health includes signs of systemic conditions which may show in the eyes. Poor vision increases your chances of falling.
4.Make your home environment safer: about half of all falls occur at home, so look at your home environment carefully to see what you can to do to make it safer.
·Remove items from the floor that you can trip over, such as appliance or lamp wires and telephone or Internet extension cords, and remove piles of papers, books, and the grandchildren’s toys. Don’t put things on the stairs that you may fall over later.
·Remove small throw rugs that slip, or use double-sided sticky tape to anchor them to the floor to keep them, and you, from slipping.
·If you frequently use a step stool to reach various items, relocate those items at a lower level and retire the step stool, as it increases the risk of falling. Don’t use chairs as step stools.
·Install grab bars next to your bath and toilet, and use non-slip mats in the shower and on the bathroom floor.
·Have handrails and lights put in all internal and external staircases and porches, and keep the bulbs changed when they burn out.
·Wear shoes inside and outside the house, and avoid going barefoot or wearing loose slippers, which increase your changes of tripping.
·Repair any broken, loose or uneven steps, and repair any carpet on steps if it is loose or torn.
People of all ages fall, but the older one gets the more likely is the risk of complex injury from a fall. It is worth taking extra precautions to adapt our homes and strengthen ourselves to avoid falls and related injuries.
http://www.fallsprevention.org.au/
http://www.nisu.flinders.edu.au/pubs/reports/2007/injcat96.php
http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Falls_Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov
