A 2017 study by the NHS found that there are around 255,000 fall-related emergency hospital admissions involving over-65s every year. That’s almost 700 every day. Falls can result in serious, sometimes lifechanging, injuries. In this article we look at the leading causes of falls in the UK and identify some ways of addressing them.
Falls Amongst the Elderly
Unfortunately, falls are particularly common amongst over-65s. One in three are likely to have at least one fall a year. This figure increases to one in two amongst over-80s. Due to their age, adults aged 65 or over are also more likely to be seriously injured. In some cases, falls can also result in death.
Falls can also have a negative impact on mental health. Over-65s may worry that they cannot live independently. However, falls are not an inevitable part of getting older, and steps can be taken to avoid them.
Leading Causes of Falls
There are many causes of falls to be kept in mind. Some are triggered by medical conditions, others are environmental. Both can be addressed and prevented if identified.
Poor Balance
Many of us have likely experienced moments of dizziness whilst moving around the home. Sometimes you may wobble as you turn a corner. On occasion, these momentary lapses in balance can result in a fall.
Poor balance can be caused by any number of things. Often, though, it will be as a result of weakened muscles or a health condition. Stroke and Parkinson’s Disease are two major causes of poor balance. However, even something as minor as an inner ear infection could impact your balance.
Blackouts and Fainting
When you have a blackout or faint, your body partially shuts down. This places them amongst the leading causes of falls. You may notice that you’ve had a blackout or fainted if you suddenly find yourself on the floor. In most cases you won’t know how you ended up there.
If you have a history of blacking out or fainting, you are more likely to experience an episode again. Certain conditions also increase the likelihood of a blackout or faint. These include diabetes and atrial fibrillation.
Poor Vision
Older age can often be accompanied by the loss of some senses. If your sight is beginning to suffer, it can become more difficult to move around. It can affect your awareness of potential trip hazards or how close an obstacle is.
Living with poor vision can make it easier to miss steps when going down the stairs. Similarly, reduced spatial awareness can result in balance problems, as outlined earlier. If you have diabetes, you may experience sight loss.
Medication
Some medications can contribute to the causes of falls. They may affect your blood pressure, for example, increasing the possibility of dizziness or fainting. Alternatively, they may make you drowsy, which can impact how you move around the house.
However, keep in mind that your medication is necessary for your wellbeing. If you feel that your medication is increasing your risk of a fall, speak to your doctor. They may be able to adjust your dosage or switch your medication to alleviate this risk.
Cluttered Homes
Sometimes our home can present obstacles to our wellbeing. Electronic cables and upturned rug corners can become trip hazard. If you are having mobility problems, narrow walkways may affect how safely you can move around. A coffee table in the wrong place, for example, could result in a fall.
Keeping your home tidy and walkways clear can reduce your risk of falling. Take steps to eliminate clutter. Move or cover trailing wires; reorganise your furniture so you have less objects to walk around; tape down the edges of your carpets.
Slippery Surfaces
Nearly 200,000 accidents occur in bathrooms every year. This is largely because the bathroom is home to more slippery surfaces. Regardless of age or health conditions, slips on wet floors are amongst the leading causes of falls.
Staying safe in the bathroom isn’t always easy. However, steps can be taken to improve safety. This includes fitting non-slip mats in the bath and on the floor. You can also consider fitting handrails to aid with supporting yourself.
Working at Height
Whilst over-65s may be less likely to work at height, this doesn’t mean you never do it. Keeping active and motivated in later life, and sometimes this means doing work around the house. Maybe you’re cleaning a window or clearing out the gutters.
Unfortunately, working at height comes with risks. It’s no surprise that it is one of the leading causes of falls. Slower reflexes amongst over-65s can make it difficult to recover if a ladder wobbles, which may result in a fall. Some health conditions could also make it more dangerous to work at height.
Reducing the Risk of Falls
Now that you know some of the leading causes of falls, it’s important to take steps to reduce the risk. If you think you have a health condition that increases your likelihood of falling, you should consult your GP. They may be able to recommend medication or exercises that can provide additional support.
Exercising, in particular, can help you build strength in your muscles. This will help you remain steadier on your feet. Similarly, a healthy diet can keep your bones strong and reduce the likelihood of fatigue.
Finally, you should keep your home tidy and make modifications to assist with your mobility. Grab rails and ramps can drastically improve ease of movement around the home.
Extra Support from LifeConnect24
We recognise that falls can happen to anyone. Even if you have taken steps to reduce the possibility, bad days can still strike. When they do, it can be reassuring to know that help is available. A LifeConnect24 alarm allows you to request support at the press of a button.
When your alarm is activated, it sends a call through to our 24/7 Response Team. They will then arrange help for you by alerting your emergency contacts. These may be friends, relatives, or neighbours. In appropriate cases, they will also alert the emergency services.
If you feel you are at increased risk of falling, we recommend our fall detector package. It works just like our base alarm but will also activate automatically if it sense you have had a fall.
To find out more about the LifeConnect24 alarm service, read our quick guide. To find out more about how our alarms can promote your independence at home, get in touch with our helpful customer service team. Call us on 0800 999 0400 or fill in our contact form today.
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