WHO estimates 684,000 fatal falls occur each year; the elderly are at greater risk
US President Joe Biden Falls On Stage During The 2023 United States Air Force Academy Graduation Ceremony At Falcon Stadium In Colorado Springs. (AP/PTI)
Work Towards Preventing Falls
Falls are
especially found in people over sixty years old. The good news is falls can be
prevented. "The landscape of fall prevention for senior citizens has
witnessed a remarkable breakthrough, says Dr Varun Gupta, Chief Business officer,
Antara Assisted Care Private Limited- “Unlike traditional fall risk assessments
that are often conducted just once a year, the advanced algorithm leverages the
power of daily assessments. By monitoring key elements integral to fall risk,
including physiological trends, gait analysis, sleeping patterns, and
historical data, tech stack can offer a remarkably accurate and dynamic
evaluation of an individual's vulnerability to falls.”
One can start by analyzing the key risk factors that lead to a fall. There are two primary
reasons – one, at the level of the individual and two, in the spaces he lives.
Let’s examine the aspect of the individual first. While all people who fall are at risk of injury, the age, gender and health of the individual can affect the type and severity of injury. Older people have the highest risk of death or serious injury arising from a fall and the risk increases with age.
Dr Meinal Chaudhry,
director for radiodiagnosis and intervention radiology and chief of strategy for
digital marketing and corporate communications at Aakash Healthcare Super
Speciality Hospital shares some of the top reasons for falls, “Sarcopenia or
weak muscles especially in the legs leads to falls. As we age, we lose muscle
mass which routinely starts from the lower body upwards. Muscle strengthening
exercises help a lot to slow down Sarcopenia. Gait abnormalities or unsteady
walk can arise due to loss of muscle strength or due to uncoordinated gait in
various neural disorders like Parkinsonism or cerebellar dysplasia. Proper
treatment of underlying conditions can lead to preventions of such falls.
Postural hypotension or black outs is the biggest cause of falls in the
bathroom of young adults as well as elderly. There is a sudden blackout when we
stand from a sitting/ lying down position. Persons who face this
condition should take good time to change their position for example. They
should sit for 2-3 min after getting up from a lying position and then stand
slowly. Foot problems including pain and deformities – pain in the knee, hip or
foot can lead to unstable gait and falls. Conditions like flat foot / club foot
or neuropathy caused by Diabetes can lead to falls. Addressing the underlying
condition like physiotherapy and right shoes for flat foot, surgical correction
of clubfoot and good sugar control and physiotherapy can help the patients.
Vision problems in kids, adults or elderly can lead to recurrent falls. The
predominant causes in different age groups can be different– like refractive
errors in kids and adults and glaucoma and cataract in elderly. Congenital
blindness or cataract can also present with fall in children.”
Mental health
issues like panic attack, anxiety and depression can lead to falls as they can
make a person less aware of the falls. Besides, certain medications such as
sleep medicine, anti-psychotic drugs, antidepressant drugs – all can lead to a
fall. Sometimes, substance abuse or drug withdrawal can cause disorientation
and lack of coordination.
Spaces: Fall Prone
or Fall Free
Does your physical
space make you more prone to falls? Retirement communities tend to perfect the
art of creating fall free spaces. Here, the idea is to avoid simple causes of
stumbling due to uneven flooring, slippery floors, tripping over furniture, or
other obstacles- something which can be replicated in regular homes. Says Ankur
Gupta, Joint Managing Director, “Structural changes can be made to reduce the
risk of falls. For example, installing the right flooring in high-risk areas
like sports areas and adding grab rails in common areas like lobbies,
especially in toilets, can provide additional support. The first step is to
identify the common causes of falls. To prevent such incidents, it is important
to ensure proper lighting in the home and other accessible areas. Installing
night lamps can also help, as seniors may be more prone to falls when getting
up during the night. Evening lighting also plays a crucial role in fall
prevention. Marking potential dangers with reflective black and yellow tape can
improve visibility and reduce the risk of falls.”
He adds that
wearing the right shoes is another important factor in preventing falls. We
learn from past falls and identify potential issues. These could include
infrastructure problems, medication side effects that cause drowsiness, or
inappropriate footwear. Normally the reason is either one of the
above-mentioned or a combination. Once the issue is identified, we address it
and take steps to reduce the risk of future falls.
How to avoid
falling
What are the few
things one can fix to avoid a fall? There are certain preventive measures one
can take at home to prevent an at-home elderly from falling and getting
injured. Dr. Vishal Sehgal, President, Portea Medical shares some insights.
•
Medication should be given to the elderly at appropriate intervals as
prescribed by the doctor. Skipping medication can cause the body to become weak
and thereby result in falls.
•
It is important for the elderly to get enough physical activity for their age.
This will help in improving their overall health, maintain agility and quality
of life.
•
The best way to prevent falls is to maintain cleanliness at home and avoid any
clutter. Stacks of old newspapers and magazines and other items that can come in
the way of an elderly should be kept aside.
•
Many a time, home fixtures can be the causative factor. Fix the loose carpet,
rugs, or anything else that may seem off the place at home. While repairing,
ensure that these are elderly friendly the next time around.
•
Grab bars and handrails should be installed at all crucial points. Be it going
up and down the stairs, in and out of the washroom or any other place, there
should be adequate provisions for the elders to support themselves.
•
A home with inadequate lighting is not suitable for the elderly. Make sure to
install brighter lights especially in places such as the stairways and
hallways. You could also fit night-lights in the bedroom so that they are able
to see well even at night.
•
Ensure that non-slip mats are placed in the kitchen and bathrooms, as these are
the most accident-prone areas.
The Role of Family
and Caregivers
Caregivers play a
pivotal role in fall prevention as well. They should be educated on identifying
potential fall risks, assisting with mobility, and providing a safe environment
for their loved ones. Regular communication with healthcare professionals can
help caregivers stay informed about best practices and address any concerns
promptly. Since prevention is always better than cure, caregivers and
individuals must be careful to avoid slipping on wet floors, while walking downstairs, etc. Having a proper balanced diet and taking calcium supplements from
a young age boosts bone density and strength, thus enabling faster recovery
from the effects of falling- fractures, cracks in bones, sprains, etc. Medical
conditions such as osteoporosis, balance disorders, and certain medications can
increase the risk of falling. Conducting regular health check-ups, managing
chronic conditions, keeping a track on blood pressure and sugar levels, and
adjusting medications can significantly mitigate these risks.
Price Chart on Fall Prevention
Fix the fall factors
|
Risk Factor |
Price (Rs) |
|
|
|
|
Person’s Risk Assessment Review with Healthcare Professional |
A consult costs Rs 700-1,500 |
|
Space Assessment Review with Design Expert (home safety
review) |
A consult costs Rs 2,500- 3,500 |
|
Grab Bars |
4,990-6,290 |
|
Anti Slip Shower Mat 40 x 60 |
499-1,499 |
|
Laser Lights |
549-1,500 |
Source: Market
Research
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