Amongst older adults in Ireland, falls are a serious health problem. Amongst over-65s, one in five are likely to experience recurring falls, which can lead to injuries and hospitalisation. However, falls do not have to be accepted as part of growing older. Often, there are contributing factors to a person’s likelihood of falling. In this article, we will highlight the most common causes of falls in the elderly.
Preventing Falls
It is an adage that prevention is better than cure, and this remains true for falls. Recovering from a fall can be a time-consuming experience, and can leave you worried that it will happen again. In fact, older people are more likely to experience a fall if they have had one before. Furthermore, older age can leave you more vulnerable to serious injuries such as fractures. These can require lengthy periods of recovery or even be lifechanging.
As a result, identifying the most common causes of falls in the elderly is also key to preventing them. Knowing you have taken measures to reduce your risk of falls can improve your confidence around the home.
Most Common Causes of Falls in the Elderly
As we age, circumstances can change regarding our health, fitness, and lifestyle. These can, in turn, increase our vulnerability to falls. Some older adults may not experience any of these circumstances. In some cases, falls can occur simply due to freak accidents. However, evidence shows that these are the most common causes of falls amongst elderly people.
Muscle Weakness
In later life, the body naturally starts to lose muscle mass. This is known as sarcopenia and affects most adults. Muscle mass begins to deteriorate as early as age 30, but it becomes most apparent in over-60s. This problem can be exacerbated by a lack of activity, with the resulting weakness encouraging a more sedentary and less active lifestyle.
Muscle weakness can lead to a lack of stability when moving around the home. This loss of stability can lead to falls if your legs are unable to hold you upright. Fortunately, muscle mass can be maintained and even improved in later life. Your best option is to take up additional forms of exercise to stay fit. Increasing your protein intake could also improve muscle mass, helping to avoid bouts of weakness.
Impaired Vision
According to a 2016 census, almost 55,000 people in Ireland are blind or have some form of impaired vision. This is a figure that is expected to increase as the population ages. However, visual impairment can have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life and can lead to safety concerns. Most significant of these concerns is not being able to see obstacles.
Even if you are otherwise fit and healthy, bumping into a low object, catching your foot on a step, or slipping in a puddle could lead to a fall. Impaired vision increases your chances of encountering these hazards. If you are worried about impaired vision, you should consult your optician. If you need glasses or specialist equipment, be sure to use them. A fall could be a greater risk to your independence than using a white cane.
Low Blood Pressure
As we age, our body’s ability to regulate blood pressure can be affected. This may be due to health conditions or changes in our dietary needs. Whatever the cause, low blood pressure can increase your risk of falls. This is because low blood pressure impacts the flow of blood around the body, resulting in weakness and, in some cases, dizziness.
You may have experienced sudden dizziness when standing up. This can be linked to low blood pressure. If you think you are experiencing low blood pressure, you should consult your doctor. They will check your blood pressure and offer advice on bringing it up to safe levels. This could involve changes to your diet, activity levels, or medication.
Medication
Many older adults take long-term medication to treat health conditions. Whilst these are necessary for your wellbeing, many medications do come with side effects. In some cases, these side effects could lead to falls or other accidents. With so many members of Ireland’s ageing population taking long-term medication, this is certainly one of the most common causes of falls in the elderly.
Amongst the most common side effects of medications that can lead to falls are drowsiness and dizziness. The likelihood of experiencing these side effects increases if you are taking more than one type of medication. Side effects may also become more intense, further increasing the risk of falls. If you think your medication may be putting you at risk of a fall, speak to your doctor and arrange a medication review.
Recovery from Treatment
If you have recently come out of hospital following surgery or other forms of treatment, you may be at increased risk of falls. Many medical procedures can be taxing on the body, leaving you fatigued or with mobility issues. You may also experience pain or discomfort that changes how you move around. Post-hospitalisation weakness can be one of the most common causes of falls in the elderly if you do not take precautions.
Reducing the risk of falls after surgery can be challenging. This is because you will be torn between needing to rest and wanting to build up your strength again. Don’t be ashamed of using mobility aids to get around. Move short distances at a time and make sure you have places to sit down throughout the house. If you are worried about losing strength, you can perform basic daily exercises to keep fit.
Chronic Health Conditions
Certain medical conditions can increase your risk of falls. Generally, these will be conditions that impact mobility or cognitive function, such as arthritis, Parkinson’s, or forms of dementia. However, any condition that results in poor physical health could leave you more vulnerable to falls. Be mindful of the limitations associated with your condition.
For example, if you have arthritis you may struggle to step over obstacles. Conditions that cause damage to nerves, such as motor neurone disease, may cause numbness in your feet that prevents you from identifying hazards. When moving around, be mindful of your condition, and remember that there is nothing wrong with using additional equipment.
Hazards In and Around the Home
Regardless of your fitness levels, tripping or slipping on obstacles at home is one of the most common causes of falls in the elderly. Catching your foot on a trailing cable or missing a step as you go down the stairs can quickly lead to an accident. Therefore, you should consider what risks exist in your home and what you can do to address them.
Remove or tape down rugs with curling edges; cover cables that cross walkways; tuck low tables and other obstacles away; always leave a clear space for walking between rooms. Get a loved one to help you assess your home for risks. They may be able to spot things you don’t notice. When the hazards have been identified, you will need to decide how best to improve the safety of your surroundings. Removing hazards from your home is one of the best ways to prevent falls.
Help in the Event of a Fall
If you are at risk of falling, it is reassuring to know that you can get help if you need it. Accidents can happen even if you take every possible precaution, though they will be less likely. A personal alarm from LifeConnect24 offers peace of mind if help is needed.
With a LifeConnect24 personal alarm, help is arranged at the press of a button. This sends an alert to our 24/7 Response Team, who will then inform your emergency contacts that help is required. When necessary, they will also alert the emergency services.
With a LifeConnect24 alarm you know you are in safe hands if you have a fall. To find out more about our personal alarm service, read our useful guide. For any further questions about the alarm service, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our team on 1 800 937543.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 20th June 2024 to reflect current information.
