Falls Seem Trivial. But for an Older Adult, Falling Has Risks You Hadn’t Thought About
As you age, you start to think a little more about things that can go wrong. Heart disease and cancer for example. But when older adults fall, it’s not the fall that’s the big problem. It’s what happens afterwards.
Because the consequences, the results of older adults falling, are absolutely huge.
Why Are Falls So Problematic?
Many falls don’t result in serious injuries, so why is falling such a life-threatening event for seniors?
Injuries When Older Adults Fall
A simple slip and tumble, for example on wet tiles or a patch of ice outdoors, seems trivial. But for a senior, it can be life-changing.
Even if your fall isn’t that serious, just having a strain or sprain may result in hospitalization – and that’s no fun (nor is the cost).
But that’s not the big problem with falling when you’re older.
Head injuries can result when older adults fall – and if the injury isn’t fatal, getting treatment for fall injuries is more complicated for the elderly.
It’s risky going to hospital when you’re older.
- Recovery time takes longer (and is more expensive).
- As you age, you are more vulnerable to hospital-acquired infections such as pneumonia, infections and sepsis.
- If you break your hip, you may need surgery which involves sedation and further trauma.
And afterwards, your risk increases that you won’t be able to go back home. You might need to go to a senior rehab facility or a long-term care facility.
Death
It’s not a nice thought, but even a seemingly small fall may result in death, because of other factors – for example, pre-existing medical conditions, frailty or advanced age.
Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults age 65 and older in the USA. Worldwide, falls are the second-leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide (after road traffic accidents).
What Happens After Older Adults Fall
After you or a loved one recover from a fall, the problems don’t end.
Many older adults find they are unable to look after themselves properly after they’ve been discharged from hospital.
It’s been so traumatic and painful that many seniors do less and less, because the fear of falling again is so great.
And it’s a very valid concern – research shows that falling once doubles your chances of falling again. Isn’t that horrible?
Most seniors know how dangerous a fall can be. Even if you haven’t fallen already, the fear of falling, getting hurt or becoming disabled can cause you to change your behavior. Examples would be changing daily living habits such as bathing, cooking and housekeeping, as well as not wanting to leave home – and increased dependence on others for help.
And of course this is totally understandable!
But what’s really, really sad about all of this is that people who make these changes in order to reduce their risk of falling, inadvertently end up more frail and MORE likely to fall.
Plus, these changes can result in withdrawal and social isolation that can contribute to depression or even dementia.
Senior falls are not just serious at the time, they often have long-term, devastating consequences. Don’t assume a fall is trivial – it’s definitely not.
What To Do to Prevent Older Adults Falling
Luckily, there are lots of things you can do to prevent falls from happening in the first place and to minimize the risk of a fall happening again.
I’ll be talking much more about this soon!
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Warm regards,
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