Get Falls And Fall Prevention. A Since You Care Guide On What Causes Older Adults To Fall And How To

The 5 P's of Fall Prevention Pain* Is your resident experiencing pain? ... Personal Needs. Does your resident need assist with personal care? ... Position* Is your resident in a comfortable position? ... Placement. Are all your resident's essential items within easy reach? ... Prevent Falls. Always provide person-centered care!

Falls—and the injuries and deaths they cause—are increasing, but falls can be prevented. Falls are a threat to the health of older adults and can reduce their ability to remain independent.

Falls are not a normal part of aging. You can keep on your feet and avoid the risk of a fall. Take steps to stay safe and independent longer. Learn what you can do to reduce your chances of falling [PDF – 2,367 KB].

You experience sudden, sharp pain. Broken bones and other serious injuries often involve sudden, sharp pain. You may notice that even light pressure or movement of an affected limb or body part causes pain. If you notice sharp signs of pain, you should always seek medical attention immediately.

What causes falls in older adults? Many things can cause a fall. Your eyesight, hearing, and reflexes might not be as sharp as they were when you were younger. Certain conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or problems with your thyroid, nerves, feet, or blood vessels can affect your balance and lead to a fall.

The gradual physical changes of aging add up to increased fall risk for older adults. In fact, the CDC says that people aged 65+ have a greater than 25% chance of falling. And if someone falls once, their chance of falling again doubles, meaning there's over 50% chance of a second fall.

A fall can be a sign of a new and serious medical problem that needs treatment. For instance, an older person can be weakened and fall because of illnesses such as dehydration, or a serious urinary tract infection.

With your health care provider's OK, consider activities such as walking, water workouts or tai chi — a gentle exercise that involves slow and graceful dance-like movements. These activities reduce the risk of falls by improving strength, balance, coordination and flexibility.