Why Do Older Adults Fall?
When a 50-year-old suddenly falls for the first time, we can usually attribute it to a single factor, like dehydration, a stroke, or a heart rhythm abnormality. But in older adults, falls are typically caused by a combination of factors — some of which are related to the individual’s health and others of which are environmental.
Examples of risk factors related to the individual’s health are:
- Arthritis and other joint issues
- Impaired vision or hearing
- Medications that cause drowsiness, confusion, or low blood pressure
- Neurologic diseases that impact walking (Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease)
- Urinary problems that necessitate frequent trips to the bathroom, especially at night
- Severe foot problems (bunions, hammertoes)
- Deconditioning from not exercising or too much time in bed or a chair
Examples of risk factors related to their environment are:
- Poor lighting
- Chairs that are too low
- Beds that are too high
- Rugs that slide or bunch
- Improper flooring (deep carpeting, area rugs)
- Unsafe bathrooms (slippery surfaces)
The Numbers Around Falls
People 65 and over have a 1 in 4 chance of falling at least once annually. At age 75, that risk goes up to 1 in 3. These stats are even higher in assisted living facilities and nursing homes because people with many risk factors (dementia, poor vision, multiple medications) are concentrated there.
How Do You Treat Falling?
Physicians approach fall prevention by first examining the underlying causes — what factors are contributing to these falls? — and then determining which of them are treatable.
Some risk factors will be untreatable, like Alzheimer's disease, while others can be improved, like cataract removal to improve vision. By focusing on the treatable conditions, falls can become less frequent and less likely to result in a serious injury if they do occur.
Making your space safer is one of the easiest ways to prevent falls. We’ve detailed recommended modifications for each room in our Home Safety guides. Examples are:
- Better lighting, especially in the path to the bathroom
- Stable grab bars to hold onto near showers and toilets
- Proper flooring (vinyl instead of tile, no deep carpeting)
- Professionally-installed handrails in hallways and stairs
In many circumstances, Medicare will pay for a home safety evaluation to ensure your space is optimized. The National Council on Aging has a state-by-state guide for finding Falls Prevention resources near you.
Fall Risk Assessment
Take our fall risk assessment to better understand your level of risk.
