How to Prevent Falls

Important Facts to Know…

  • More than 1/3 of adults age 65 years and older fall each year.
  • In 2003, about 1.8 million people 65 and older were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal injuries from falls; about 460,000 of these were hospitalized.
  • Of those hospitalized for a hip fracture (due to a fall), 25% will die within 1 year.
  • Those who fall 20-30% suffer moderate to severe injuries; reducing mobility and independence; increase risk of premature death.
  • Studies have found that fall prevention methods lower the risk of falling by nearly 20% and reduce the average number of falls by 43%.

Four Ways for a Nursing Home Resident to Prevent Falls:

1. Exercise on a regular basis

Exercise is one of the most important ways to lower the chances of falling. It makes you stronger, and helps keep you active. Improving balance and coordination exercises such as Tai Chi are the most beneficial. Many nursing homes offer Tai Chi classes or local senior centers.

2. Have your health care provider review your medication

Have your doctor or pharmacist review all medicines you take, even over-the-counter medicines. Some medicines or combinations of medicines can make you sleepy or dizzy and cause you to fall such as diuretics, cardiovascular medications, anti-hypertensives, antipsychotics, antianxiety agents, sleeping medications, or antidepressants.

3. Have your vision checked

At least once a year, have your eyes checked by an eye doctor. You may be wearing the incorrect glasses or have a condition that limits your vision.

4. Make the area safer. Several specific ways include:

  • Remove all extraneous clutter; keep phone and electrical cords away from pathways.
  • Keep the room well lit. When it is dark, use nightlights or a flashlight as needed.
  • Always wear shoes when mobile. Avoid wearing slippers or loose fitting shoes that can lead to an injury.

It is Important to Remember…

Taking a “safe at any cost” approach and avoiding previous life activities can result in a loss of strength, reduced muscle tone, balance problems, decline in overall health, and often depression—all of which makes it more likely you will fall again. It can be a vicious cycle, since many falls are preventable. The first step is to overcome fear, and transform it into actions that help you avoid falls.

References

Hausdorff, J.M., Rios D.A., Edelber, H.K. Gait variability and fall risk in community-living older adults: a 1-year prospective study. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2001;82(8):1050–6.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [online]. (2005) [cited 2006 Aug 21]. Available from URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars.

The Archstone Foundation and Fall Prevention (cited 2007, April 23). Available from www.archstone.org.
Stevens, J. Falls among older adults—Risk factors and prevention strategies. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control,DC, Atlanta, GA.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, What you can do to prevent falls (brochure) [online]. (2005) [cited 2007 April 23. Available from URL: www.cdc.gov/

Cameron, K. American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. The role of medication modification in fall prevention. Alexandria, VA.

Fall Prevention: Breaking the Cycle (brochure). Philips Lifeline.

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