Preventing Falls in Seniors

Dr. Richard Honaker, M.D. talks about a few ways on preventing falls in seniors, and should they fall what kind of problems this can cause for them in their older age.

Dr. Honaker warns that falls put you at risk of serious injury. You can help prevent falls with a few simple fall-prevention measures, from reviewing your medications to hazard-proofing your home and making sure seniors are not left alone, if in need of care.

If you have parents in their senior years at all costs you must prevent them from falling.

Falling is a common problem with older people and it does often become the beginning of the end.

Here is what happens an elderly person falls they break their hip they have to go to a nursing home – they lay still and don’t get out much. They get blood clots in their legs that goes through their lungs and they can die. It’s all bad things that happen.

So, what do you do to prevent falls?

You have got to realize that older adults fall because:

Number one: they may be dehydrated they don’t think enough fluid, so they get dizzy when these. They are probably on medications often and a lot of medications that may interact lower their blood pressure and they fall.

Incidentally, it is important to pay attention to fluid intake, because over the years, the sensation of thirst is not so reliable to maintain an adequate degree of hydration. Some drugs cause falls, such as those that make you drowsy or dizzy.

Number two: they don’t sense where their feet are and where their position senses and so they fall over easily they trip on throw rugs or whatever is around.

Remember some basic principles: remove unnecessary obstacles, such as carpets or furniture, keeping order, taking care of lighting, replacing the bath with a shower with a non-slip floor and firm handles. And if there are stairs, a solid handrail.

Also consider their eyesight. It is especially important to take care of their eyesight, as evidenced by the fact that cataract surgery on the first eye already reduces falls.

So, what do you do about this?

Well first of all you get rid of obstacles like throw rugs, make sure things are well lit, help your elderly parents to get up slowly maybe sit for a minute and then stand.

Finally, let us encourage our elders to maintain an active social life, but if there is any question at all don’t let them live by themselves.

Dr. Honaker cautions, falling and an older adult is often the beginning of the end.