{"id":659,"date":"2013-10-01T15:28:13","date_gmt":"2013-10-01T19:28:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.medicalalertadvice.com\/?p=659"},"modified":"2022-06-06T12:55:53","modified_gmt":"2022-06-06T16:55:53","slug":"preventing-falls-in-the-elderly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.medicalalertadvice.com\/articles\/preventing-falls-in-the-elderly\/","title":{"rendered":"Preventing Falls in the Elderly"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Preventing<\/a>

Preventing Broken Hips<\/p><\/div>\n

Each year, one in every three adults, age 65 and over, has an accidental fall. \u00a0These falls can cause moderate to severe injuries such as hip fractures and head injuries. \u00a0Even so, less than half of those injured discuss the incident with their doctors, putting themselves at an even higher risk of dying. \u00a0In 2010, the direct medical cost of falls, adjusted for inflation, was $30 billion dollars.<\/p>\n

Part of the problem is there is no one single risk factor that causes all falls. \u00a0However, the greater the number of risk factors an elderly person is exposed to, the greater the probability of a fall that will end up eliminating any kind of independent living for your elderly parent.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, falls are NOT a normal part of aging and they are preventable (see our preventing falls guide<\/a>). \u00a0That’s because a major contribution to falling is simply not knowing the risk factors and how to prevent them.<\/p>\n

Her are three risk factors that frequently cause older adults to fall. \u00a0A few preventive actions are described for each.<\/p>\n

Impaired Vision<\/strong><\/p>\n

Age related vision diseases, such as glaucoma and cataracts, can increase the risk of falling because they change an older person’s depth perception, peripheral vision and visual acuity. \u00a0With these diseases the elderly are less able to live in their own home or do simple errands such as grocery shopping.<\/p>\n

Prevention<\/p>\n