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Abilene Reporter Editorial: Falls Among the Elderly on the Rise

Below is a question posed to the Heath Editors of the Abilene Reporter:

QUESTION: As a woman in her mid 70s, I've become increasingly scared of falling. I feel more limited in what I can do safely. How can I keep from falling? And what should I do if I fall?

ANSWER: Falls among seniors pose a major medical problem. Women, who now make up the majority of the elderly population, are especially vulnerable to injuries from falls.

About 35 percent of people over age 65 fall in their homes at least once a year. That figure increases to 50 percent for those ages 75 and over. There is less information on falls among individuals over age 85, but one study of people ages 91 to 105 found that about 60 percent had at least one fall in the course of a year.

Although many injuries from falls are minor, others can be nasty, including major cuts and bruises, broken bones and head trauma. Such injuries may lead to hospitalization, disability, the need for nursing home care and even premature death. Falls also have psychological consequences. Fear of falling is associated with a general loss of confidence and can lead to depression, isolation and a decline in physical function due to lack of activity.

Not surprisingly, there has been considerable research on how to prevent falls in older people. Recommended preventive strategies include strength training and balance work, vision checks and a review of medications and their possible side effects (dizziness or sedation, for example).

A recent study in the British journal BMJ showed that staying down after a fall is more common among people ages 85 and over than previously thought. The researchers noted that 60 percent of the participants fell at least once during the year of the study. Of those who fell, 88 percent were alone at the time, four out of five needed help getting up, and 30 percent remained on the floor for over an hour.

As a result, the authors suggest that fall-prevention programs teach older people how to get up from a fall on their own. The first step: Stay calm, take a few deep breaths and then call for help.

It's important to alert someone if you fall so that you get immediate care. Here are more tips for reducing the complications of falls:

* Buy a medical-alert system that allows you to activate an alarm by pressing a wearable button. The alarm calls a trained operator who can alert emergency personnel. Models for women include bracelets and necklaces.

* If you are alone a lot, carry a cell phone or a cordless phone at all times. Or install telephones in several rooms, and place them at a level you can reach from the floor. This can make calling for help easier if you fall.

* If you live alone, arrange for a friend or family member to check in with you daily at a particular time. Make sure she or he has a key in case you don't respond in a reasonable amount of time.

* If you've ever fallen, and especially if you've fallen more than once, tell your doctor. Ask him or her for suggestions on how you can stay active and avoid falls in the future.

For young and old alike, life is full of ups and downs. But it's particularly important for senior citizens to do everything to stay on the up and up.