Fall causes and risks
As we age, one of the biggest threats to our independence isn't illness – it's falling.
About 1 in 4 people age 65 or older suffers a fall each year, making it the most common cause for injury in older adults. Why is falling so common once we reach a certain age? It’s typically due to a number of factors, including:
- Side effects from medications that may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Blood thinners, such as warfarin, are especially known for this.
- Weakness from a sedentary lifestyle or muscle loss from aging, called sarcopenia
- Underlying conditions, such as arthritis or neuropathy (pain, numbness or tingling in the extremities that makes it hard to sense the ground)
- Balance problems
- Declining reaction times
- Vision problems
- Hearing loss
- Environmental hazards, such as floor clutter, throw rugs or slippery bathroom floor tiles
So what can you do to prevent falls in older adults?
