Frequent falls indicate immobility, ongoing health impairment, and immobility in elders. Falls restrict general functioning as they may restrict certain activities due to loss of mobility or the fear of falling.
Moreover, they are often the primary cause of injuries among seniors, such as forearm or hip fractures. Risk factors for falling include postural hypotension, issues with gait and balance, and more. Read on to learn about factors that increase the risk of falls in seniors.
Factors That Increase the Risk of Falls in Seniors
1. Age Factor
The most common reasons behind frequent falls include the natural aging process and palliative or acute health conditions. With age, people may experience medical conditions like impaired vision, deteriorating balance and mobility, and chronic illnesses like stroke, arthritis, and more which may result in falls.
Elders may also lose their balance and experience falls due to diabetes, feet thyroid, and problems with feet, blood vessels, and nerves.
While some conditions related to age or gender cannot be changed, others, like poor vision or muscle weakness, can be compensated for or prevented with proper medical attention.
2. Behavioral Risk Factors
A person’s emotions, actions, and decisions all come under the behavioral risk factors that increase the risk of falls in seniors.
These factors include a lack of physical activity, a history of falls, wearing improper clothing and footwear, dehydration, fear of falling, and lack of nutrition. Additionally, rushed or sudden movements also increase the risk of calls.
3. Social and Economic Factors
According to research, a person’s health, degree of impairment, cognitive function, and longevity are all strongly correlated with their education, housing situation, income, and social connections.
People with low education, low income, lack of support and housing, and limited access to health care are at a greater risk of experiencing health conditions like frequent falls. Numerous medications, especially psychoactive drugs like antidepressants and tranquilizers, may also increase the risk of falls.
Some medications lead to side effects like confusion or dizziness, which may result in falls. Generally, elders prescribed such medications have a greater risk of experiencing falls.
Final Word
Are you struggling to find senior care in OK? If yes, look no further than Arrow Senior Living Advisors. From memory care and home care to assisted living facilities, they have it all covered.
They have a team of professionals who assist families in finding the best solution for unique medical conditions among seniors. They also offer affordable independent living for seniors in OK for elders who want to be independent. For further details, call 405-486-9976. They also offer free consultation services!
