Having a fall can have a devastating effect on a person’s health and independence, this is recognised in the Health profession and the NHS in the UK have developed a Falls Prevention Strategy which aims to give guidance on reducing the impact of falls for individuals, and those around them. It’s main aims are to improve current treatment, improve bone health, and to try and prevent new and recurrent falls. There are several policies in place to reduce falls and their impact, more information can be found on the NHS website.
If Health and Social Care communities work together it is likely that the number of falls and their negative consequences can be reduced by as much as 30%. A third of people over 65 suffer falls increasing to around 40% for over 85s. If services were put into place, the likelihood of preventing future falls would increase, which in turn will reduce disability from fractures.
Falls which cause fractures have a negative impact upon the lives of the elderly, as regular falls mean regular hospital visits. Fractures and falls can be easily prevented through risk assessments, and risk reduction programmes. Falls can cause serious injuries including: bone fractures (particularly the hip), blood clots, and infections. These can be a major problem for those over 65, as they are frailer. Fractures can have a serious impact on an individual’s independence, as they often reduce mobility significantly. However falls that don’t end up with serious injuries can cause social isolation as a result of lack of confidence, which in turn may cause mental health issues. If someone has a fall but isn’t hurt they should try to get up in order to reduce complications which can include hyperthermia, pressure related injury and infection.
There are a number reasons why older people are more likely to suffer falls, and these can include: poor eyesight and uneven surfaces underfoot. Increased bone fragility increases the likelihood of fractures as a result of falls.
Independence in old age is desired by most individual’s. However falling and the fear of falling makes this difficult for an individual, as they can lose their confidence in carrying out daily activities.
There are a number of ways that falls can be reduced:
1. Reducing Risks
Evidence suggests that the number of falls increases with the number of risk factors. Address them and finding ways to overcome them. This can be done by doing home risk assessments.
2. Increasing Physical Activity
Achieved through the use of weight bearing exercises such as Tai Chi and walking. This is because these exercises help to promote strong bones, and improve posture, balance, and strength, and increase confidence.
3. Medication Revision
Some medications may increase the chances of falling such as antidepressants and sleeping tablets. The benefit of taking some of these medications may be severely overshadowed by the consequences of falling, which means that medication may need to be discussed with the individual’s doctor.
4. Other Factors
Reducing alcohol consumption, regular eyesight checks, making sure that any foot or footwear problems are dealt with, and ensuring that trip hazards in the home are minimised.
It is also important that fractures are prevented and this can be done through preventing, identifying and treating osteoporosis by reducing risk factors, key factors are a healthy, well-balanced diet and regular exercise.
If people are at risk of falling then there is technology available called Telecare, these are systems that use monitors and alarms to check on people in their homes connected to monitoring centres. If someone falls then the monitoring centre will soon be aware is the person has failed to press their personal alarm.
Having support at home can help prevent falls by having someone else keep an eye on the situation, support at home can be supplied by a Home Care business that has staff trained in assisting people at home.