If you or a loved one has ever experienced a fall, you know how terrifying it can be. Oftentimes, a fall can lead to injury and even hospitalization. In fact, roughly 36 million people over the age of 65 fall each year, with 3 million of those falls resulting in emergency room visits. Of those, 800,000 are hospitalized due to a head injury or hip fracture, often caused by falling sideways.
Read on to discover the most common causes of falls in the elderly and some of the steps you can take to prevent them.
4 Causes of Falls in the Elderly
Taking a fall can happen to anyone, but there are increased risk factors for falls in the elderly. Highlighted below are some of the most common causes of falls in individuals over the age of 65.
Lack of Mobility
Individuals who are affected by lack of mobility may suffer from falls frequently. Standing from a lying or sitting position after an extended period of time can cause blood pressure to drop and lead to a fall. Read more about several safety features you can add to your home to prevent these types of falls in the next section.
Strength & Balance
A decreased activity level at an older age can lead to a loss of balance and muscle strength. Without some form of strength and balance exercises, the risk factor of falls in the senior individual increases significantly. Even walking or maneuvering the stairs can become a challenge that may lead to injury and hospitalization.
Impaired Vision
Diminished eyesight can increase your risk of falling. It can become more difficult to see potential hazards, such as uneven ground or the edges of steps. When paired with potential home hazards, vision problems can be a major cause of falls in the elderly.
Home Hazards
A common cause of falls in the elderly is home hazards. These can include steps, poor lighting, slippery shower floors, or a large amount of clutter on the floors. Hazards in your home can be easy to trip over or slip on, causing a fall that may lead to injury. It’s best to keep unnecessary items off the floor and invest in home improvements to make navigation easier.
3 Ways to Prevent Elderly Falls
Preventing falls in the elderly is, ideally, a team effort. Family, doctors, and friendly neighbors can all help with preventing elderly falls. Check your home for any potential dangers and make adjustments. One way to add safety is with an accessibility lift. Arrow Lift offers a wide range of products. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits and how a lift can add safety to your home.
Stair Lift
A stair lift allows elderly individuals to securely access all the floors of their homes with a decreased risk of falling. Arrow Lift offers a variety of customizable stair lifts to help you travel safely between the floors of your home. Our straight, curved, and outdoor stair lifts are all built with safety features such as sensory switches and swivel position safeties to prevent accidents.
Home Elevator
Home elevators are a reliable and accessible option for elderly individuals, especially those who may be building or remodeling their homes. A shaftless home elevator or pitless home elevator is often the ideal choice if you’re considering aging in place. These elevators require less construction than traditional home elevators and can typically be installed more quickly. A home elevator can be customized to suit any interior and will provide safe travel between the floors of your home. Choosing this option could also allow for wheelchair accessibility in the future, should it be required. The home elevators offered at Arrow Lift provide a secure experience with customizable options to fit your needs.
Vertical Platform Lift
For individuals using a walker or wheelchair, a vertical platform lift (VPL) may be a valuable investment. VPLs, which are also called porch lifts or garage wheelchair lifts, aid elderly or disabled individuals in moving between two levels in situations where a ramp is impractical or undesirable. VPLs can be used both indoors and outdoors. They’re most often used in garage entrances or to access elevated porches or decks.
Prevent Future Falls with Arrow Lift
Arrow Lift is here to provide accessibility solutions to support your needs. Our affordable products are designed with plenty of safety features that will minimize your or your loved one’s risk of falling.
Contact Arrow Lift today to schedule a free consultation with our team!
