意外摔倒 can lead to injury for anyone—even folks who are young and healthy. But for adults over the age of 65, 瀑布 are more likely and more serious. 根据 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four older adults experience a fall each year, and about 37% of those 瀑布 require medical care.
Falls can greatly disrupt a person’s daily routine. If medical treatment is needed, they can be financially costly, too. 的 National Council on 老化 (NCOA) says that the average cost of an emergency department visit to address a fall injury is $1,112, and an inpatient hospital stay for more severe injuries averages more than $18,000. Knowing common causes of accidental 瀑布 and how to prevent them can help older adults and their caregivers reduce the risk of falling.
Causes of Falls and How to Avoid 的m
Many 瀑布 occur due to side effects of aging. While physical changes may be inevitable, people can still make adjustments to control the most common risk factors. 这些包括:
- Muscle weakness, particularly in the lower body
- 平衡或机动性 问题
- 视力问题
- 不当的鞋子
- Medications with side effects such as dizziness or 睡意
- 可怜的照明
- Clutter in the home or other tripping hazards like throw rugs or slick floors
- Health conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and 维生素D 缺乏
- Weather conditions like snow and ice that make outdoor walkways slippery
While aging is not preventable, 瀑布 are. Older adults can take practical steps to reduce their fall risk, including:
- Awareness of medication side effects: Older adults should talk to their doctor before starting a new medication to learn if it will cause dizziness, 睡意, 或者平衡问题. Blood pressure medications, diuretics, and some antidepressants have all been associated with 瀑布.
“Some medications to lower blood pressure can actually lower it too much, leading to dizziness and subsequent 瀑布. It’s recommended to see a geriatrician to assist with medication management and to monitor interactions between medications.”
- Regular vision checks: 有 合适的眼镜 can help people see hazards like uneven surfaces or clutter.
- Fall-proof the home: Removing tripping hazards, such as cables, cords, loose rugs, and clutter, ensures a clear walkway. Caregivers can assist older adults in moving furniture that could block pathways.
- Wear proper footwear: Avoid heels and slippers, and instead choose a shoe that is well-fitting and supportive.
- 改善照明: Make sure the home is well-lit, especially in stairways and hallways. Small lamps or nightlights can help older adults safely navigate their space, especially during the night.
- Use assistive devices: Installing handrails or grab bars inside the shower, 厕所附近, and along both sides of stairways can help prevent 瀑布. Utilizing canes or walkers can help with stability inside and outside the home.
- 保持活跃: Regular exercise improves coordination and muscle strength. Older adults should choose activities that help with balance, flexibility, and 维护力量, such as yoga, tai chi, lower body strength training, and walking.
- Being weather aware: Older adults should pay close attention to the weather, especially during the winter months when snow and ice can make sidewalks slick.
“好鞋子, 良好的照明, not being shy to use assistive devices, and asking someone for help to clear your driveway and stairs in snowy and icy conditions are all precautions older adults can take as the season changes,哈罗德森说.
Minor Falls Can Be Serious
For older adults, simply tripping over a throw rug can lead to serious injuries. Once someone experiences one fall, they are twice as likely to experience another one. While some 瀑布 don’t cause any injuries or require a trip to the doctor, those that do can have significant consequences.
一些最 常见的损伤 防止坠落的有：
- Fractures, particularly in the hips, wrists, arms, and ankles
- 头部受伤
- 扭伤
- 联合混乱
- 血肿
“After a fall, evaluation by an occupational therapist and physical therapist to look at home safety and how to arrange the home safely can help prevent another falling incident,哈罗德森说.
By incorporating some simple precautions into their daily lives, older adults can ensure they continue to live safely and independently.