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What Causes Falls in the Elderly
How Can I Prevent a Fall?
Falls are the top cause of
accidents in people over the age of 65. Falls are also the main
cause of serious injuries and accidental deaths in older people.
Even older people who appear to be strong and well can fall. Falling
is a real threat to your ability to live on your own.
What are
some causes of falls?
The normal
changes of aging, like poor eyesight or poor hearing, can make you
more likely to fall. Illnesses and physical conditions can affect
your strength and balance. Poor lighting or throw rugs in your home
can make you more likely to trip or slip.
The side effects of some medicines can upset your balance and make
you fall. Medicines for depression, sleep problems and high blood
pressure often cause falls. Some medicines for diabetes and heart
conditions can also make you unsteady on your feet. You may be
more likely to fall if you are taking four or more medicines. You
are also likely to fall if you have changed your medicine within the
past two weeks.
What can
I do to prevent falls?
First, be
sure your home is as safe as possible. Here are some tips:
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Wear shoes with nonskid soles
(not house slippers).
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Be sure your home is well lit
so that you can see things you might trip over.
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Use night lights in your
bedroom, bathroom, hallways and stairways.
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Remove throw rugs or fasten
them to the floor with carpet tape. Tack down carpet edges.
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Don't put electrical cords
across pathways.
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Have grab bars put in your
bathtub, shower and toilet area.
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Have handrails put on both
sides of stairways.
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Don't climb on stools and
stepladders. Get someone else to help with jobs that call for
climbing.
-
Don't wax your floors at all,
or use a non-skid wax.
-
Have sidewalks and walkways
repaired so that surfaces are smooth and even.
-
Next, get regular check-ups
from your doctor, and take good care of yourself:
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Have your eyes checked every
year for vision changes, cataracts, glaucoma and other eye
problems.
-
Have your hearing checked
every two years, or anytime you or others think that you can't
hear well.
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See your doctor if you have
foot pain or corns, or if you can't trim your toenails well.
Sore feet could make you fall.
-
See your doctor right away if
you feel dizzy, weak or unsteady on your feet, if you feel
confused, or if you fall.
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Let your doctor know if a
medicine is making you feel dizzy or making you lose your
balance.
-
If your doctor wants you to
use a cane or a walker, learn how to use it--and then use it all
the time.
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When you get up from bed
during the night or in the morning, sit on the side of the bed
for a minute or two before you stand up. This will give your
blood pressure time to adjust, and you will feel less dizzy.
-
If you need to go to the
bathroom often at night, consider using a bedside commode.
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And keep your body in good
shape:
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Get regular exercise,
especially walking.
-
Do exercises to strengthen
the muscles you use for walking and lifting.
-
Don't smoke.
-
Limit your alcohol intake to
two drinks or less a day.
What can
my family do to help me prevent falls?
Your family
can help you check your home for dangers that might make you
trip or fall. They can help make your home safer for you. Someone in
your family can take a walk with you to see how stable you are.
Your family can also watch for changes in your strength or balance.
Your family can respond to any worries you might have about feeling
dizzy, weak or unsteady, and they can see that you get help.
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