“Help! I’ve Fallen and Can’t Get Up.”

As a kid, one of the most memorable tv adds was for the Life Alert product that was marketed toward the aging population. Their tag line was one that lives on today, “Help! I’ve fallen and can’t get up.” While many of us joke at this commercial, the reality is 3 million older people each year are treated in emergency rooms because of a fall.

Falls are serious. And they are costly.

• Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often because of a head injury or hip fracture.

• One out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury.

• In 2015, the total medical costs for falls totaled more than $50 billion. Medicare and Medicaid shouldered 75% of these costs.

• Someone over the age of 65, with poor balance and on 3 or more prescription medications has a 100% chance of falling at some point in their life.

• Many people who fall, even if they’re not injured, become afraid of falling. This fear may cause a person to cut down on their everyday activities. When a person is less active, they become weaker and this increases their chances of falling.

Being aware of some of the causes is important. Balance can become unstable or shaky due to diabetes, heart disease, neuropathy, or trouble with blood vessels. Other factors that increase the risk of falling include drop in blood pressure when quickly going from lying down to an upright position, unsteady walking gait, confusion when waking up in an unfamiliar space (such as those with dementia), medications with side effects, and muscle weakness.

The great news is there are many opportunities to reduce the risk of falling.

• Do Strength and Balance Exercises. Exercise your legs to get stronger and improve your balance. Tai Chi, squats and lunges are a good example of this kind of exercise.

• Have Your Eyes Checked. Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year, and be sure to update your eyeglasses if needed. If you have bifocal or progressive lenses, you may want to get a pair of glasses with only your distance prescription for outdoor activities, such as walking. Sometimes these types of lenses can make things seem closer or farther away than they really are.

• Make Your Home Safer.

  • Get rid of things you could trip over.

  • Add grab bars inside and outside your tub or shower and next to the toilet.

  • Put railings on both sides of stairs.

  • Make sure your home has lots of light by adding more or brighter light bulbs.

  • Keep items you use often in cabinets you can reach easily without using a step stool.

  • Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.

• Get Enough Sleep.

• Limit Your Alcohol Consumption. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect your balance and reflexes. Studies show that the rate of hip fractures in older adults increases with alcohol use.

These are just a few of the many opportunities to reduce the risk of falling. For any questions or other suggestions, please feel free to reach out directly to me.

be well-