Falls in the home is an important topic so I would like to finish up the discussion with this post and one more. As always, I appreciate any comments or questions.

What outcomes are linked to falls?

• Twenty to thirty percent of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as bruises, hip fractures, or head traumas. These injuries can drastically limit mobility and reduce independent living. Injuries from falls also increase the risk of early death
  


• Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries, or TBI. In 2000, TBI accounted for 46% of fatal falls among older adults
  


• Most fractures among older adults are caused by falls
  


• The most common fractures are of the spine, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm, and hand
  


• Many people who fall, even those who are not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear may cause them to limit their activities, leading to reduced mobility and physical fitness, and actually increasing their risk of falling
  

Here A couple of tips to reducing the chance of falling.

• Keep healthy and active to keep muscles strong and balance good
  


• Evaluate your living space and take notice of any potential hazards
  


• Decide who is at risk and see what changes they may need
  


• Take a risk assessment of your home. Look for spills, loose mats, wet floors, unstable or uneven flooring, lack of handholds on stairways or bathrooms, appliance cords, clutter around the house and adequate lighting.

Labels: falls, seniors