December 10

The Danger of Falls and How to Prevent Them

One of the biggest dangers to people aged 65 and older isn’t cancer or other type of life-threatening disease. It’s falling. According to the CDC, falls are the top cause of  “injury-related death” for Americans older than 65, and it appears to be increasing. In addition to leading to death, falls can cause serious injuries such as broken bones and concussions. Three million elderly are treated in emergency rooms for fall-related injuries. Chief among them are hip-related injuries, of which 95 percent are caused by falls.

If you or someone you love is 65 or older, it’s important to understand the top causes of falls and how to prevent them. Let’s take a closer look.


What Causes Falls?

There are a number of factors that contribute to an elderly person falling. These can include (but aren’t limited to):

  • Muscle weakness, particularly in the lower body
  • Vision problems
  • Medicines that impair or disrupt the patient’s balance, such as sedatives, tranquilizers, and anti-depressants
  • Chronic muscle or bone pain
  • Household hazards, such as steps, throw rugs, or other clutter that can be tripped over

Chronic conditions can also play a major role, particularly heart disease, low blood pressure, and even dementia, which can cause dizziness.


How to Prevent Falls

Unfortunately, many of the conditions that cause falls are somewhat unavoidable. However, there are a number of things a patient and his/her family can do to reduce the likelihood of these conditions causing a fall. These include (but aren’t limited to):

  • Installing hand rails and grab bars in key areas of the home, such as the bathroom but also along stairways and hallways.
  • Increasing bright lighting, which can help people see better and avoid hazards.
  • Removing clutter and tripping hazards such as throw rugs or loose carpet.
  • Add nonslip materials to areas that can get slippery, such as bathroom floors, bathtubs, and even in the kitchen.

Depending on the age of the patient, it may also be a good idea to move to a single-floor occupancy, where stairs won’t pose any risks.

In addition to making modifications to the home, it’s essential that patients work every day to stay as healthy and fit as possible. This includes doing stretches every day, but it can also mean going for a daily walks, or even joining group fitness classes designed for the aged.

Lastly, it’s essential to talk to a patient’s doctor about any individual risks based on lifestyle, medicines, etc. Getting the patient’s vision checked regularly can also help ensure they have the right prescription on your glasses or contacts, potentially limiting the risk of falling due to a vision issue.

Schedule an appointment with us to receive a full diagnosis and personalized recommendations for safe, fall-free living.

Call us in Maryland at 301-703-8767 | View MD Providers), in Pennsylvania at 724-603-3560 (View PA Providers) or in Virginia (540-433-1905 | View VA Providers)to make an appointment or use the form on our site to send us a message.


Tags

Health Tips, Inflammation, Injury Pain, Pain


Contact Us

At Pain and Spine Specialists, we are committed to delivering the highest quality of care to our patients. Our services are customized, keeping each individual's comfort in mind.

Please note: We are now accepting workers compensation insurance and personal injury claim patients.

Give Us A Call

Our patient care coordinators are available to answer questions Monday - Friday from 8:30 am - 5:00pm.


Frequently Asked Questions

Billing / Insurance Questions

We Accept All Insurances!

That includes Medicare and state Medicaid.

How Soon Can I Be Seen?

Usually within one week of the initial call.

Appointments can be schedule by phone or through our contact form here.

What To Expect During Appointments

At Pain and Spine Specialists we provide comprehensive pain care while offering the most up-to-date minimally invasive techniques. Our ethos is to treat each patient (and potential patient) as if they were a family member.

Click here to learn more.

Patient Portal / Policies

At Pain and Spine Specialists we want to provide the most efficient and pleasurable experience possible. As in all medical facilities, we have certain policies in place to ensure that you receive the time you require to address your needs as well as enhance your experience while in our care.

View our policies here.

Skip to content