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March 2008
Issue: Volume 1 Issue 1


Coping with senior falls


Quick responses to falls help ensure that you can continue to live independently, because senior falls are the most preventable cause of injury, functional decline and nursing home placement.1

Falls aren't just something that happens to other people. Thirty percent of adults 70 or older fall every year, and half of those in that age range will have problems getting up without help.1 And 10 percent of those falls will result in serious injury, including head injuries or broken bones. Once seniors have fallen, there is a 50 percent chance that they'll experience another serious fall that year.1

Some of the causes of falls — unsafe footwear, tripping hazards in the home — are relatively avoidable. Those involving your health can sometimes be resolved or improved by telling your doctor about your concerns.

Don't pass off falling as a "natural part of the aging process, but see it as a symptom with many possible underlying causes, some of which are highly treatable," says Dr. David Riley of University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland.2

What are some of the health concerns that relate to a higher risk of falling?

  • Gait or balance problems
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Leg weakness or nerve disorders
  • Impaired vision
  • Dementia
  • Certain medications

Never fear, though. A simple "get up and go test" can show you whether your leg muscles are weak enough to cause you to fall.

Sit in a hard, straight-backed chair. Fold your arms across your chest. Try to stand. If you can't on the first try, tell a doctor so you can be checked for possible problems, says Dr. Riley.2

Ask your doctor about exercises that can help with your balance and strength, and whether any of your medications put you at more risk.

Around the house, here are some suggested improvements:

  • Remove area rugs (or tape them down)
  • Add rails in stairs and bathrooms

If you do fall, you want to know that someone can help you promptly. Many seniors think that they'll just call family, a neighbor or 911. But what if you're unable to get to the phone?

Emergency alert systems have proven to be a godsend for many seniors. A simple pendant with a push-button allows them to call for help.

Some systems call directly to emergency staff, but many will try to call a nearby neighbor or friend first if it's a minor fall. Others even allow voice access similar to a walkie talkie between the system user and the people on his or her list.

The EARS system offers not only those benefits but others. Visit our site for details about how EARS can keep you living independently in your own home!

1. Mary E. Tinetti, M.D., Fallprevention.org
2. Dr. David Riley, Trip and Fall Lately?

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