Transcript Slide 1

Older Adults and
Falls Prevention
If you have parents or
grandparents who are in
their senior years,
you probably know that
they are at an increased
risk of falling.
Vicious Fall Cycle
Having a fall can create a vicious cycle for
increasing the risk of having more falls.
In addition to the obvious physical
effects, falling can lead to:
• Lower confidence levels
• Loss of independence
• Lower quality of life
Some Alarming Facts
65% of all injuries are the result of unintentional
65%
falls for those aged 65 and older
(Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2006)
62% of injury-related hospitalizations for
62%
older adults are the result of falls
(Public Health Agency of Canada, 2005)
47%
47% of falls by older adults that required
hospitalization occurred in and around the home
(Public Health Agency of Canada, 2005)
Risks of Falling
There are many interrelated reasons why older
adults have an increased risk of falling. Biological,
medical, behavioural, and environmental factors
include:
• Increased muscle weakness and reduced physical
fitness in balance, flexibility, and coordination.
• Reduced ability to react quickly to a loss of balance.
• Changes in vision.
• Changes in health, such as developing arthritis,
osteoporosis and other chronic diseases.
More Risks of Falling
• Taking certain medications, alone or in
combination, can cause drowsiness, dizziness,
or weakness.
• Inadequate diet, particularly low intakes of
calcium and vitamin D needed for bone health,
and low intakes of protein needed for muscle
strength.
• Fear of falling, leading to inadequate balance
control and lack of confidence.
Alcohol
and Falls
Drinking too
much alcohol
can also increase
the risk for falls
in some people,
especially
older adults.
Home
Safety
There are also unsafe conditions or
hazards in the home and community
that can increase the risk of falling.
The Good News Is…
Falls CAN be prevented!
Falling does not have to be part of “normal” aging.
There is a lot that can be done to prevent older adults
from falling. Certain risks can be eliminated and others
can be greatly reduced with the following:
• Physical fitness
• Eating well
• Review of medications
• Vision and hearing aid
use
• Home safety measures
Physical Fitness
Maintaining and regaining physical fitness has
many benefits when it comes to preventing falls.
Increasing strength, flexibility and aerobic
capacity all play a role. More specifically,
benefits include:
• Improved balance
• Increased mobility
• Reduced ability to react quickly
to a loss of balance
• Increased bone density
Physical Fitness
Doing almost any kind of physical activity will
help decrease the risk of falling. The key is
to do a variety of activities.
Encourage the older adults in your life to try
something new. Or, consider some of these
activities for yourself to prevent the risk of
falling later on. Some suggestions include:
Physical Fitness
Yoga or Tai Chi
great for increasing flexibility and balance
Stability ball training
especially helpful in improving abdominal and back
muscle strength and balance
Walking and swimming
great for increasing muscular endurance and
aerobic capacity
Bowling and curling
fun team sports that help increase flexibility
and strength
More Tips on Physical Fitness
Older adults who are currently inactive
should speak with their doctor before starting
any kind of physical activity program.
It’s important for family and friends to support
those who are trying to be more physically fit.
Older adults should begin any new physical
activity slowly, at a comfortable pace.
For more information, visit
www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/pau-uap/paguide/older/index.html
Eating Well
Having a pattern of healthy eating helps improve
and maintain overall strength and energy levels
needed for everyday living and vitality.
In general terms, healthy eating includes…
Eating Well
Lots of Variety
Eating foods from the four food groups in the
NEW Canada’s Food Guide: vegetables and fruit,
grain products, milk and alternatives, and meat
and alternatives.
7 to 10 Servings of Vegetables and Fruit
Including at least one dark green and one orange
vegetable each day. Fresh, frozen, or canned –
they’re all good.
Eating Well
Plenty of Whole Grains
At least 50% of breads, cereals, pasta, and rice
should be whole grain.
Foods Low in Saturated and Trans Fat
Select lean meat and alternatives prepared with
little or no fat, along with lower fat milk choices.
Also, limit butter, hard margarine, lard, and
shortening. To replace these, choose small
amounts of vegetable oils such as canola, olive,
and soybean.
A Note about Vitamin D
In addition to following Canada’s Food Guide,
both women and men over the age of 50 years
should take a daily vitamin D supplement of
10 micrograms (ug) or 400 International Units (IU).
Taking this supplement is important for bone
strength and to reduce the risk of osteoporosis
and fractures.
For more information on
the NEW Canada’s Food Guide,
visit www.canadasfoodguide.org
Reviewing Medications
Review on a regular basis the use of
prescription and non-prescription medications
with the doctor or pharmacist.This will help
identify whether or not dizziness or sleepiness
is occurring which could increase the risk of
falling.
If these side effects occur, changes in
medication use may then be recommended.
Vision and Hearing Aids
Glasses and hearing aids are important to safety.
They assist older adults in their daily lives in
many ways.
Wearing proper
prescriptions for glasses
or hearing aids can help
a person see or hear
better in order to identify
potential falling hazards.
Home Safety
Making changes in the home will help reduce
many potential falling hazards.This will help an
older adult maintain their independence and
quality of life a lot longer.
Most of these changes are easy to make. The
following few slides offer some suggestions…
In the Kitchen…
• Store everyday items, like pots and
pans or staple foods, within easy
reach. These items should be kept
between knee and shoulder height.
• Keep heavy items in lower cupboards
and lightweight items in higher
cupboards.
• Wipe up spills immediately to prevent
slipping.
In the Bathroom…
• Use non-skid mats in the bathtub and
shower, and a non-skid bathmat on
the floor.
• Install a night light in the hallway and
bathroom.
• Consider installing grab rails in the
bathtub and shower.
In the Living Room…
• Move electrical cords and other floor
clutter out of the way to prevent
tripping.
• Leave enough space around furniture
to move around easily.
• Eliminate throw rugs, even those with
non-skid undersurfaces.
On the Stairway…
• Have hand rails on both sides of the stairs.
• Install lights and switches so that all
stairways are well lit at the top and bottom.
• Avoid storing things on the stairs.
• Cover stairs with a well-secured rubber
treading.
For more information,
visit www.hc-sc.gc.ca/seniors-aines
enter “stair safety” as a search term.
Remember…
Preventing falls is one of the most important
ways to
preserve and protect
independence
well into the senior years.
Key References
Canadian Institute for Health Information. (2006). National trauma
registry 2005 report: Major injury in Canada. Ottawa, ON:
Author.
Government of Ontario. Safety and security – falls prevention.
(2006). Retrieved March 2, 2007, from
http://www.seniorsinfo.ca/en/categories/626
Health Canada/Veterns Affairs Canada. (n.d.). You can prevent falls:
By reducing the risks! Ottawa, ON: Author.
Public Health Agency of Canada. (2005). Report on seniors’ falls in
Canada. Ottawa: Minister of Public Works and Government
Services Canada.
Other Resources
Latest Health Issues newsletter
Think Smart – Injuries Aren’t Accidents
Latest wellness brochure
Drivers: Your Attention Please
Other electronic presentation
Bicycle Safety: What You Should Know