Keeping Yourself Safe Through Fall Prevention
Falls are a leading cause of injury and disability in older adults. As we age, balance and mobility challenges increase this risk. You might be surprised to hear how common falls are.
For individuals 65 and older, research shows an estimated 36 million falls occur every year across the United States. In the operating room, we treat numerous injuries every year that are caused by falls at home or in public. It is one reason why fall prevention and education is a critical component of Beebe’s work in and out of the hospital. It is all part of Beebe’s focus on patient quality and safety standards.
Beebe has a Fall Prevention Task Force to address this issue, and their efforts and impact have been significant. Over the past year, as a result of several fall prevention strategies the group has deployed, Beebe has seen a 24 percent decrease in falls in our inpatient units, and a decrease of more than 50 percent in our Emergency Department. These are statistics we are incredibly proud of!
Of equal importance to our team, however, is what we can do to prevent falls outside of our hospital. Join us as we promote Falls Prevention Awareness this week with healthcare professionals across the country. Education is key. Understanding why people tend to fall and how to reduce risk is important and can go a long way in helping us all remain up on our feet where we belong!
Understanding why people fall
There are several reasons why older people tend to fall:
- Muscle weakness
- Balance issues
- Poor vision
- Medical conditions such as arthritis and heart conditions that can cause dizziness or lightheadedness
- Medical conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) that can affect gait and balance, and cause muscle fatigue
- Medications that cause drowsiness.
Minimizing fall hazards in the home
Some simple changes can make a big difference when fall-proofing your home:
- Make sure all areas are well-lit; use night lights in hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms
- Cover slippery floor surfaces such as tile, hardwood, or marble with non-skid rugs or mats
- Secure loose area rugs or carpets; add rubber padding to prevent rugs from moving on the floor
- Eliminate clutter; it poses a tripping hazard
- Install grab bars in showers and bathtubs; use non-slip bathmats on floors
- Add handrails to all steps/staircases, and make sure any existing handrails are sturdy and properly anchored
- Wear non-slip socks or slippers with rubber grips on the soles when walking around at home.
Building strength and stability to lower your risk
Building your strength and stability is very important as you age, for many reasons, including fall prevention. Adults lose muscle mass as they age, so building and maintaining strength in both your upper and lower body is key. A little bit of conditioning goes a long way, and can be accomplished by:
- Incorporating light weights into daily walking routines to build and maintain lean muscles
- Taking yoga or Pilates classes. Both target the core, lengthen muscles, and encourage good balance
- Engaging in simple at-home exercises such as standing on one foot for 30 seconds or doing sit-to-stand exercises (sit on a chair and slowly raise yourself to a standing position 10 times)
- Doing light aerobic exercise on a regular basis; this can include walking, cycling, or swimming.
If you are experiencing balance or mobility issues and would like to consult with a specialist, turn to Beebe Healthcare. Our physicians and other clinical care providers are here to provide the care, guidance, and support you need to improve your strength, stability, and mobility as you age. Need a primary care provider? Call 302-645-3332 to find a provider near you.
John Tyson, MD, FACS, is a board-certified general surgeon at Beebe Healthcare. He performs a broad range of general surgical procedures, including laparoscopic colectomies for patients who have been diagnosed with colon cancer. He also serves as an on-call trauma surgeon.
