The risk of falling can be a real source of worry for many senior citizens and their families. That’s because falls can have serious physical and psychological consequences. Many factors can increase the risks of falling and because these accidents are not uncommon, you need to know the causes in order to prevent them from happening.
Facts and figures
According to data published by the Institut national de santé public in 2008, 4% of senior citizens (65 and over) in Quebec have fallen in the last 12 months and have suffered an injury that has affected their daily activities. That’s 40,000 people who have fallen! Forty percent of these incidents have taken place at home. A slippery surface, ice, snow, and stairs are the most common causes.
Even if these figures are a few years old, our senior citizens still have to deal with this ever-present issue. With the general population getting older, falls might become more frequent and place a real burden on our health system. In 2004 alone, expenses directly or indirectly related to senior citizens falling totalled $370 million in Quebec.
The consequences of falling
Falling can have a physical and psychological impact. Physically, the effects can range from bruises and cuts to more serious injuries such as hip fractures, among others.
In some cases, if the senior citizen cannot get up on their own, they can stay on the floor for hours, which can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and hypothermia.
These incidents, in addition to creating functional problems, can also lead to psychological consequences. For instance, someone who has fallen in the past might limit their movements and activities out of fear of falling again, which in turn can lead to a decline in their physical wellbeing and might make them socially isolated. These factors will only worsen the individual’s situation, leading in fact to an increased risk of falling. Falls can also cause stress and anxiety for family members and may require them to provide additional support to the senior citizen.
How do you prevent falls?
To prevent falls, it is necessary to take into account factors related to the individual and their environment.
First and foremost, it’s very important that someone not let their fear of falling limit their activities. In fact, regularly taking part in simple physical exercises, such as walking, allows senior citizens to maintain their muscle tone and remain independent. We must encourage senior citizens to carry out their daily tasks themselves, as much as possible, and provide supervision if needed. It is also essential to make sure the person is eating right to get the nutrients and protein needed to stay healthy.
As for factors related to the person’s environment, an analysis of the senior citizen’s home can reveal the risks present. Actions can then be taken to eliminate these risks. For example, the person’s home needs to be sufficiently lit and be cleared of clutter to help them move around. Areas such as bathrooms and stairways need to be fitted with a ramp or handles that are anchored to the walls.
How can Clinique GO™ help you?
We provide professional health services that come to you to help you adopt a healthy lifestyle and reduce the risks of falling.
Even though Clinique GO™’s expertise can help you after a fall, we can also act to prevent such events from happening. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Thanks to our GO Gériatrie mobile services, our occupational therapists will help you eliminate the sources of risks in your home. Our mobile professionals are also able to assess a person who has fallen to determine the causes of the incident. Our mobile physiotherapists can intervene to help with pain caused by an injury and prescribe exercises that will improve mobility, strength, and balance. Our mobile kinesiologists can help you integrate physical exercise into your daily routine, while taking into account your physical condition. Finally, our mobile nutrition services can develop a tailored nutrition plan that meets your needs.
Calling on Clinique GO™ means reducing your risks of falling in order to preserve your independence and quality of life for as long as possible!
Approuvé par Francis Desjardins
