Elderly woman using walker to get around house.
Article

Your Comprehensive Guide to Elderly Fall Prevention

Michelle Lefebvre
Written By
Michelle Lefebvre

According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), 1 in 4 older adults believe a fall “won’t happen to them.” Yet the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 25% of adults age 65 and older fall each year. If you or a loved one are within this age group, the possibility of falling may be more likely than you think.

Nobody wants to fall. Not only can a fall be embarrassing, but it can also be the start of serious health problems or lead to long-term disability. That’s why it’s important to understand how falls happen and take preventative measures that minimize the risks of falls.

In this comprehensive fall prevention guide, we share everything from fall risk factors to fall prevention strategies that seniors and their loved ones can use to stay safe.

Why Fall Prevention Matters

Sadly, fall-related deaths among adults 65 and older are increasing, which is why fall prevention is so important for seniors. Even those who survive an unintentional fall can experience injuries that require hospitalization and significant lifestyle changes, which can put additional stress on you or your loved one physically, emotionally, and financially.

Elderly Fall Statistics

According to the CDC’s Facts About Falls:

  • Falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related death for adults 65 and older.
  • Each year, there are 3 million visits to emergency departments (EDs) for fall injuries.
  • 88% of ED visits and hospitalizations for hip fractures are caused by falls.
  • Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
  • 1 out of 10 falls results in an injury that causes daily activity restrictions for a day or more.

NCOA also reported on the financial impact of falls:

  • The estimated annual average cost per inpatient visit for fall injuries is $18,658 and $1,112 per ED visit.
  • Data from 2020 shows that the total healthcare cost of non-fatal older adult falls is $80 billion per year.
  • The cost of treating injuries caused by falls among older adults is projected to increase to over $101 billion by 2030.

Common Injuries from Falls

Injuries from a fall can include anything from minor cuts and bruises to major issues like broken bones, blood loss, and head trauma. More often than not, fall-related injuries are critical and cause long-term health issues for seniors, requiring more frequent healthcare attention and even hospitalization. In worst cases, falls can even lead to death.

Some of the most common injuries from falls include:

  • Broken Bones: Fractures and breaks are typically the most common injuries from falls. Seniors can break bones in hips, knees, wrists, ankles, arms, and legs, which can lead to chronic pain and loss of mobility. With hip fractures in particular, recovery for older adults can take months and lead to complications, such as infection, blood clots, bedsores, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
  • Spinal Cord Injuries: Injuries to the spine can have lasting impacts on a senior's health and mobility. Spinal cord injuries can also cause paralysis and even death.
  • Head Injuries:  These injuries can range from concussions to TBIs, which require immediate medical attention and could lead to death.
  • Soft Tissue Injuries: While not visible on the outside of the body, soft tissue damage can cause numerous complications. Without proper treatment, these injuries can lead to chronic pain and higher risk for further injury.
  • Cuts and Lacerations: Even minor falls can leave seniors with deep cuts and abrasions. No matter the apparent severity of the injury, be sure to seek medical care as soon as possible. In addition to having thinner skin that can easily become scraped, many older adults take blood thinners, which can increase bleeding and lead to significant blood loss.
  • Chronic Pain: Experiencing chronic pain can be the direct result of a fall. Pain can occur nearly anywhere in the body and continue for years, with or without treatment.

Why Do Seniors Fall?

To prevent falls among seniors, it’s important to understand the causes of falls in the elderly. Although some causes can be attributed to aging—such as weaker muscles or reduced eyesight—there are other risk factors that can lead to falls for seniors.

Conditions & Diseases

Some health conditions and diseases can increase the risk of falling among the elderly, so if you or your loved one has any of following, there may be an increased risk of falls:

  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Diabetes
  • Neuropathy
  • Vertigo
  • TBIs
  • Heart disease
  • Previous stroke
  • Hearing problems
  • Issues with the thyroid, nerves, blood vessels, or feet

Medications

Many medications—including those commonly prescribed to the elderly—can cause dizziness, light-headedness, unsteadiness, drowsiness, blurred or doubled vision, confusion, and reduced mental alertness. Some medications can also affect balance and cause a drop in blood pressure. These medications include (but are not limited to):

  • sedatives
  • opiates
  • anti-depressants
  • anxiety medications
  • diuretics
  • beta blockers
  • calcium channel blockers
  • blood pressure medications
  • anti-convulsants

It’s also important to note that when taken together, some medications and supplements can have negative interactions or reduced effectiveness. Talk with a healthcare professional regarding what prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and supplements you or your loved one are taking that could lead to a higher fall risk.

Home Hazards

About 72% of falls occur at home, so it’s essential to address common fall locations and tripping hazards. Although falls can happen anywhere throughout the home, bathrooms, kitchens, and stairs pose higher levels of risk.

Additionally, certain household fixtures, home decor, and outdoor spaces can lead to falls, including (but not limited to):

  • Throw rugs
  • Slippery floors
  • Cluttered stairs
  • Loose hand railings
  • Bathtubs and showers
  • Unstable grab bars
  • Electrical cords
  • Pets and their supplies
  • Children and their toys
  • Poorly lit stairs and hallways
  • Out-of-reach items
  • Sidewalks and driveways
  • Patios and porches
  • Gardens and landscaping

How to Prevent Falls in the Elderly

Although falls among seniors are common, there are ways to minimize the likelihood of falling and reduce the severity of injuries. By following safety tips and talking through concerns, you and your loved ones can stay aware of fall risks and implement fall prevention strategies.

Reduce Fall Risks at Home

Here are some at-home fall prevention tips to make your home or your loved one’s home safer and easier to navigate.

Bathroom Safety Tips

  • Put a non-slip gripping mat in the shower or tub to reduce slip and fall injuries.
  • Install grab bars by the toilet and tub to provide support and assist with balance.
  • Add a shower chair and hand-held shower head to eliminate the need to reach, reducing the risk of falling.
  • Install a walk-in bathtub or walk-in shower/tub combination to reduce the risks involved with climbing into the tub.

Bedroom Safety Tips

  • Keep a light within easy reach of the bed for better visibility at night.
  • Make sure phones are within arm’s reach in case of emergency or confusion.
  • Keep a clear path from the bed to the bathroom, with nightlights along the way.
  • Consider installing a bed rail.
  • Remove decorative or loose rugs and other floor clutter that could cause tripping.

Kitchen Safety

  • Store commonly used items within reach so a step stool or stepladder isn’t needed.
  • Eliminate floor rugs to avoid slips and falls.
  • Clean spills quickly so that the floor doesn’t become slippery.

Stair Safety Tips

  • Keep steps free of clutter.
  • Have plenty of light at the top and bottom of the stairs.
  • Consider putting colored tape on the edge of steps to make them easier to see.
  • Install stair treads on hardwood stairs to help with grip.
  • If you only have one handrail, consider adding another for stability.

Entryway Safety Tips

  • Check steps to make sure they’re not broken or uneven.
  • Ensure there’s plenty of light, ideally turned on with a sensor.
  • Install handrails or a grab bar so that you don’t lose your balance while walking up the steps or opening the door with your arms full.
  • Install a video camera doorbell so you can see who is at the door without getting up needlessly. If your loved one lives alone, set up doorbell alerts that are also sent to you.

5 Lifestyle Safety Tips for Preventing Falls

In addition to taking steps to protect yourself or your family member from falls in and around the home, you can also adhere to the following lifestyle safety tips for fall prevention.

1. Get a Fall Risk Assessment

The CDC and the American Geriatrics Society recommend an annual fall assessment screening for adults 65 years and older. If the screening shows increased risk, you or your loved one may need a more in-depth assessment.

2. Incorporate Flexibility & Mobility Exercises

As we age, our muscles and joints weaken, and our feet have reduced sensitivity, which can increase the likelihood of falls. This is why it’s important for seniors to incorporate exercises that promote flexibility and mobility. Improving balance, reducing stiffness, and maintaining a good range of motion can help prevent falls and reduce the severity of injuries should a fall occur.

3. Schedule Regular Vision Check-Ups

Vision and spatial awareness issues frequently contribute to falls, so it’s a good idea to get regular vision checkups as your vision or your loved one’s vision decreases or changes. If you don’t have transportation to get to an optometrist or ophthalmologist—and your family doesn’t live nearby—explore resources such as the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) or a local transportation group.

4. Monitor Chronic Conditions and Medications

Individuals with chronic conditions—such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), cardiovascular problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid—must stay on top of care plans and medications. Sometimes, a drug will stop working as well as it previously did, cause unexpected side effects, or interact with new medicines. Any concerns should be reported to a healthcare provider to help prevent issues that could lead to falls.

5. Don't Let Seniors Travel Alone

While it's important for seniors to maintain a certain level of independence, that shouldn’t come at the expense of safety. Whether you or your loved one are taking a personal vehicle or public transit, getting in and out of vehicles without assistance can lead to falls. Having a mobility aid, such as a walker or cane, or even having a family member or friend tag along during trips outside of the home can add a layer of safety against falls.

How to Help a Loved One After a Fall

When a family member experiences a fall, it can create a wide range of emotions for them and you. Addressing your own concerns while also caring for your loved one who’s afraid and hurting can be a challenge. Here’s how to have a healthy and productive conversation with your loved one about this situation.

Have a One-on-One Discussion

Be honest yet compassionate when discussing your loved one’s fall and subsequent injuries. Reassure them that their safety and health is your primary concern. By establishing open communication and trust regarding their health, they may be more open to receiving help from you and healthcare professionals.

Stay Calm and Show Your Support

It can be stressful and scary when a loved one falls, but it’s important to stay calm and strong for your loved one. Coming across as angry or demanding could make it more difficult to convince your loved one to follow preventative measures and the advice of healthcare professionals. Be sure to show your support by actively listening to their concerns and needs and working to find a solution that helps them feel comfortable while also keeping them safe.

Encourage and Facilitate Follow-Up Appointments

If your loved one’s fall resulted in a trip to the hospital or a rehabilitation facility, set up follow-up appointments in advance. It’s important to have a healthcare provider monitor your loved one’s recovery status. Even if you and your loved one are positive that the fall was an accident, a well-rounded evaluation could uncover potential issues that made the fall more likely—and that could lead to future falls, if not addressed.

Help Them Learn How to Prevent Future Falls

Seniors who are recovering from a fall or fall-related injury are at a higher risk of future falls. Because of this, it’s good to be proactive about building your loved one’s strength and confidence in moving around the house. When they’re well enough to do so, encourage your loved one to get up for some light exercise and activity to improve balance and stability. They may be hesitant at first, but the long-term results will support their mobility and safety. Also, assess their footwear to make sure they fit properly, and that the soles aren’t too smooth or slippery.

Share Home Safety Tips

In addition to learning about fall prevention, there are many senior home safety tips your loved one may benefit from. As they recover and regain mobility, take the time to identify and discuss the potential risks and hazards around the home and how you can work together to figure out how to make their home the safest, most comfortable place possible.

Bring the Fun to Them

Depending on your loved one’s recovery status and mobility after the fall, they may feel isolated or cooped up at home. Brighten their spirits by scheduling times during the week for family fun. Have a family game night or movie night with your loved one’s favorite treats. If you don’t live nearby, schedule a phone call or video chat. These activities can be a great way to maintain social connections and boost your loved one’s mood during recovery.

Consider In-Home Care

Many older adults prefer to age in place when growing old, dealing with a chronic condition, or recovering from an injury or surgical procedure because it’s more comfortable and familiar. If you’re concerned about your loved one’s safety at home after a fall, it might be worth looking into in-home care services. With at-home nursing care and caregivers who can assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), you can rest easy knowing that your loved one is in good hands and less likely to experience a fall.

Feel Safe at Home with BrightStar Care®

Looking for in-home care services for your loved one or a reliable medical staffing partner for your organization? Our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location near you, contact us online, or call 866.618.7827 to speak with a local care expert and learn more about how BrightStar Care offers A Higher Standard®.