Fall Injuries, Risks & Prevention

The elderly are very susceptible to fall injuries, and it is very important that they take as many precautions as possible to prevent falls from happening.  Seniors who are risk should have a medical alert device.  When you look at the risks that are involved with a fall, you will see just how important prevention really is.  As you get older, your bones are just not as strong as they once were.  This means that you are more prone to be injured from a fall.  The shocking truth is that about a third of older people have experienced a fall.

Why Falls Occur

Sometimes senior citizens have a tendency to just slip and fall, but other times there are underlying conditions that may cause these falls to happen.  Here are a few of the main causes:

  • Muscle weakness or loss of strength
  • Low flexibility or weak bone structure
  • Poor balance
  • Vision problems or other eye related issues
  • Neurological issues or confusion
  • Certain prescription medications that cause dizziness
  • Medical conditions that impair your judgment

The Risks Involved

While there are many different risks involved when elderly people suffer from falls, it is important to realize that some of them may be potentially fatal.

  • Many falls result in broken bones and fractures.
  • You may experience decreased mobility after a fall.
  • Your quality of life may be much lower.
  • Sometimes falls may result in brain damage or head trauma.
  • Some elderly people even face death after a fall.

While you do not like to consider death as a possibility, the truth is that it can be.  This is why you need to take extra measures to ensure that you prevent falls from occurring.

Be Precautious

There are a few things that you can implement into your daily life that will make you far less likely to suffer from a fall.  Take the time to do everything that you can to protect yourself.

  • Eat a balanced diet and get enough of the vitamins and minerals that you need for a strong body.
  • Improve your mobility throughout your home.  If this means that you need to get a ramp to avoid stairs, then you should get one.
  • Look into options such as walkers, or walking canes that will help you get around easier.  They are great when it comes to improving balance.
  • Be aware of all of your medications.  This will help you to know when you may experience dizziness.

In Case of a Fall

  • Remember to keep yourself calm instead of getting yourself upset.
  • Relax as much as you can so that you can prevent further injury.
  • Once you are relaxed, you can try to get up.  Just remember to move slowly to ensure safety.
  • If you are injured, then you should call for help immediately.

It is very important that you are careful about getting up after a fall.  If you move too quickly, you may find yourself with further injury that could have been avoided.  By understanding the causes, risks, and preventions, you may be able to keep yourself from ever being in a situation where you experience a fall injury.

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