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No-fall November: Fall Prevention Month

Healthy older couple in loving embrace, looking out the window.

Home may be where the heart is but, it’s also where most of the hazards are. Let’s take a look at the need for safety and staying strong on your feet for older people and explore what you can do to prevent falls and make home a safer place. 

What causes older people to fall? 

Health issues relating to ageing as well as the home environment itself can contribute to balance problems and loss of confidence. 

The home environment

Older people may be living in the family home they moved into decades ago when they were much younger and fitter. Some things that may not have been problematic before, may become so now, such as uneven surfaces, rugs or highly polished floorboards. The same is true of wearing long dressing gowns or having electrical cord near or around walking areas.

Moving or downsizing doesn’t always help either – unless it’s also accompanied by decluttering to create, clear, safe passages for moving around. 

Overall health

Getting older brings undeniable health changes that can contribute to a fall. Those include: 

  • Medical conditions
  • Declining eyesight – making it hard to adjust to glare or see in dim light
  • Weaker muscles – making it harder to lift the feet properly, for example
  • Slower reaction times
  • Balance problems
  • Cognitive changes
  • A history of other falls
  • Low or high blood pressure – casuing dizziness
  • Incontinence – hurrying to the toilet
  • Mobility difficulties due to stroke, Parkinson’s disease or arthritis
  • Diabetes – faintness due to blood sugar changes, poor eyesight or reduced sensation in your feet and legs.

Older adults may also be on multiple medications. And some of those medications may cause side effects that increase falls risk. 

How common are falls among older people? 

Very common. 

Nearly 1 in 3 older Australians have experienced one fall in the last year, and as a group they are 12 times more likely to fall than to be in a car accident or a pedestrian accident. 

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that falls are Australia’s leading cause of injury hospitalisation and death. In fact, they account for: 

  • 43% of injury hospitalisations
  • 42% of injury deaths. 

And who is most likely to be hospitalised or die from a fall? People over 65. 

How serious are falls in older age groups? 

They can be a major health concern for older people. In 2018-19, falls were the leading cause of injury-related hospitalisations – in fact, they caused 75% of hospital presentations for over-65s.

Falls can have  both physical and psychological consequences. 

Physical injuries may range from bruising to fractures. And fractures may require surgery and a long stay in a rehabilitation facility before going home. 

Psychologically, people can experience fear, loss of confidence, greater dependence on others and a significant reduction in activity levels as a result of a fall. That in turncan lead to weaker muscles, stiffer joints and poorer balance – which actually increases the risk of another fall. 

Maintaining strength and independence is important for healthy ageing. It is therefore vital to do everything possible to stay strong and steady on your feet.

Check out this video on falls prevention research.

Safety at home

To reduce the risk of a fall at home, walk through it with a critical eye, looking out for any safety hazards. After doing that, you may decide to: 

  • Repair or replace any worn carpets
  • Remove rugs or put adhesive strips on them to keep them in place
  • Reduce uneven walking surfaces – like protruding tiles or joins
  • Remove clutter in walkways or corridors
  • Ensure there’s good lighting, especially on the route from the bedroom to the toilet
  • Cushion sharp corners on tables and benches
  • Install support rails near steps or grab rails in the bathroom (these are stronger than towel rails which won’t support a person’s weight)
  • Cover slippery bathroom tiles with non-slip material or treatments
  • Repair cracked paths
  • Ensure good lighting on the path to the front door. 

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes for staying strong on your feet:  

  • Culling loose slippers and long clothing from the wardrobe (go for a knee-length robe instead of a floor-length one)
  • Regular eye tests
  • A trip to the shops to buy comfortable, well-fitting, secure shoes
  • Seeing the GP or pharmacist to review medications
  • Maintaining regular physical activity to promote balance, strength and mobility 
  • Eating well and drinking plenty of water.  

How can Jasmine Health Care help? 

We provide telehealth physiotherapy to support older adults to be strong and steady on their feet, whether or not a fall has occurred. Mobility problems can be complex so we take the time to do a comprehensive assessment before prescribing an exercise program that suits each person’s unique needs and goals. As well as your program, we also provide you with information and motivational resources to help you stay on track and reach your goals.

Telehealth physiotherapy can help an older person to improve: 

  • Understanding and control of their own physical wellbeing 
  • Confidence
  • Staying strong on their feet
  • Balance
  • Fitness
  • Strength
  • Flexibility. 

We delight in seeing people regain confidence in their bodies and maintain their independence. A huge part of that can sometimes be having a support person present during the session, to assist with the technology and/or the program. 

If you are helping an older adult with their mobility, we understand that this can be complex and will show you the best ways to do this. Knowing exactly what to do, or not to do, can sometimes be challenging especially if you hit a physical, mental or emotional hurdle. Working with a physiotherapist who understands this and provides real answers, can help you and/or someone you are supporting, to find the safest, most effective way forward – with more clarity and confidence. 

It’s easy to access our services. Physiotherapists are primary care providers meaning you don’t need a referral to access our services. You can simply make a direct booking. You don’t even need to be nearby – we provide all our services through telehealth, enabling equity of access no matter where you live. 


Please contact us to learn more.

Disclaimer

* All information is general and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Jasmine Health Care can consult with you to confirm if a particular treatment, procedure or approach is right for you.

Sources

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