Help! I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up!
Most falls can be/or could have been prevented!
Fall prevention is something you can do yourself!
We have grown up watching and hearing about older people falling and suffering broken wrists, forearms and broken hips. These are common injuries from falling. We have seen so many injuries we often think it is normal for older people. It doesn’t have to be that way.
Common Myths
- Many people believe that falls just happen and they cannot do anything about it.
- They also believe that falls are more likely to happen as they age.
The Real Facts
- Falls are not part of the aging process, but they do often happen to older people! Ever Wonder Why?
- The leading cause of serious injuries in older adults is falling.
- Adults over 65 have greater chance for fall injuries than those under 65.
- Injuries from falls can change your life and put you below the dependence threshold on the Aging Curve.
- 40% of nursing home admissions are due to issues arising from falls.
- Serious injuries can happen to anyone, but you can take your own steps toward fall prevention.
Older people fall for pretty simple reasons:
- May have failing vision so they always look at the ground on which they are walking.
- Shuffling their feet rather than lift them up when they walk because of failing vision.
- Cannot move quickly enough or to catch themselves when they stumble or trip.
- Do not have the strength to catch themselves when they stumble or trip.
When they fall, they break wrists, forearms and hips most often because they have more brittle bones. Many of these people need long term care after this experience. That means their aging curve has dropped below the dependence line!
Brittle bones can lead to a broken rib from sneezing. The statistics on how many people with osteoporosis die within a year of fracturing a hip are just scary! I read one report that said a little less than half of those getting out of the hospital after breaking a hip return to their own home!
Falls happen largely due to inactivity over long periods of time and the resulting loss of muscle mass, strength, agility, and sense of balance.
Why Is Fall Prevention Important?
If you or someone in your family has experienced this, you know how terrifying it can be.
According to the US Hospital Research and Educational Trust:
- Among older adults, ages 65 or better, Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death (CDC). Falls are also the most common cause of non-fatal injuries and of hospital admissions for trauma.
- In acute and rehabilitation hospitals, falls resulting in injury occur in 30% to 51% of patients.
- Falls are associated with increased lengths-of-stay, increased utilization of health care resources, and poorer health outcomes.
- Soft tissue injuries or minor fractures can cause significant functional impairment, pain, and distress. Even “minor” Falls can trigger a fear of falling in older persons, leading them to limit their activity and lose their strength and independence.
The following remarks are quite common regarding fall prevention today.
- “As we age, we are more prone to falling than when we were younger. What’s more, the dangers and risks of those falls are greater as well, all of which makes fall prevention for all of us so important”.
- “Seniors are at a higher risk of falling than younger people because in general they are more frail”.
- “With age comes a decrease in muscle tone, eyesight deterioration, slower reflexes, and more brittle bones.”
These types of comments often lead people to believe in MYTHS 1 and 2 above.
The reason we are ‘more prone to falling’, ‘more frail’, and ‘have a decrease in muscle tone, slower reflexes and brittle bones’ is a lack of activity. These don’t have to happen, we let them happen!
To Whom Is Fall Prevention Important?
Fall prevention is important to everyone, older people and their families & friends. Serious injuries to a relative or friend impacts all of us. Not only can we work on fall prevention for ourselves, we can share the solution with others in our lives.
There are many things in life that we cannot control.
The Signs of Aging are often brought on earlier in life because of our own in-action. If we know that nutrition and exercise play a part of delaying those signs and that we/you can push them back…WOULD YOU?
I know many people want a pill to solve everything, but that’s obviously not working. So here’s what does work.
The human body is constantly regenerating itself.
Our bodies respond positively to exercise.
The human body needs specific nutritional items to function properly.
Osteoporosis is #9 on the Biological Signs of Aging
Conclusion
Fall prevention and balance exercises are not something we think about doing when we’re younger, unless you’re a gymnast. But they do become increasingly important as we age if we become less active. The more active you are, the less you will think about balance as a problem. If you are out and about and moving a lot, you are already working on your balance skills. You are using the muscles that help you keep your balance and avoid unwanted situations or risks.
Most baby boomers and seniors find that muscles and reactions are not the same as they used to be. Many years of a declining amount of activity has slowed reaction time. Because we don’t use our muscles we lose muscle mass, muscle strength and the ability to move quickly.
Many people think it is a part of getting older and accept it as a natural part of life. IT IS NOT!
