Am I at Risk of Falling?

You may be at an increased risk of falling if you are frail, take medication, or have health conditions that cause pain, weakness, weight changes, or sleep disturbances. The number one risk factor for falling is a history of falling. You may also have a heightened risk of falling if you have any of the following conditions:

·         Muscle weakness

·         An abnormal gait pattern

·         Foot, knee, or back pain

·         Weight loss or gain

·         Sleep disturbances

·         A recent injury

·         Inner ear problems

·         Impaired vision

·         Dementia

·         Vitamin D Deficiency

·         Osteoporosis

·         Arthritis

·         Parkinson’s Disease

·         Balance problems

·         Hearing loss

·         Depression

·         Prescribed medications

What Is Frailty?

Frailty is an age-related decline that typically includes significant weight loss and muscle wasting within a short period. Frail adults are more likely to experience severe effects from minor illnesses and need hospitalization for minor accidents more often. They have a high risk of falling and a high risk of breaking a bone or suffering another serious injury from a fall. 

What to Do if You Fall

If you have a slip and fall accident in a public place, assess your injuries slowly. This could take a few minutes. Let bystanders call 911 and consider going to the hospital to determine whether you have broken any bones. If you are confident you are not hurt, you can allow paramedics to help you up.

Getting help could be more complicated if you fall at home, especially if you live alone. If you have a spouse, partner, or caregiver in the home, call out for help. If the person isn’t trained in proper techniques to help you up, call 911, even if you don’t believe you are hurt. If an untrained person tries to help you up, they could injure themselves or make your injuries worse.

If you think you can get up and are confident you aren’t hurt, slowly turn onto your hands and knees. Your caregiver may be able to provide a stable piece of furniture to use as a brace to get yourself up. Alternatively, you could crawl to a stable piece of furniture and use it to help yourself up.

What to Do If You Fall While You Are Home Alone

Knowing what to do when you fall at home alone could save your life. You could be stuck without help for hours or days if you cannot reach a phone. If you find yourself in this position, find a way to access help. If you live in an apartment building, you can try calling out for help. If no one hears you or you live in an isolated area, find a way to get to a phone.

Normally, you wouldn’t want to move when you are hurt because it could worsen an injury, but getting help is the priority. Try to roll onto your side and maneuver however, you can to the nearest phone or your front door. If you fall in a shower or bathtub, this may be harder. However, do whatever you can to get help. If you have no other options, keep calling out for help until someone responds. Try to stay hydrated and move around as much as possible to prevent hypothermia while you wait.

Prepare Ahead of Time for a Fall at Home

Several medical devices and software programs are available to seniors at risk of falling to ensure you never lose access to a way to call for help. You can wear these devices on your wrist or around your neck. In the event of a fall, you can push a button to dispatch help. Some devices also offer an option that automatically detects falls and dispatches help. This feature can be life-saving when a fall renders you unconscious.

Some smartphones and smartwatches also have fall detection apps, but they haven’t been tested as rigorously as the specialty devices made for this purpose. In addition, the smartphone app only works if you have your phone with you. Below are a few examples of the companies that offer these life-saving devices:

·         Lifeline Medical Alert

·         Medical Guardian

·         Mobile Help

These products require a paid subscription, but some insurance programs may cover them. They also require either a cell phone or a landline. 

What to Do If You Are a Caregiver and Someone Falls in Front of You

If you are caring for someone who falls, it is important to allow a qualified medical team to evaluate them before moving them. Rather than helping them up yourself, call 911 and allow the paramedics to evaluate them and help them up. Paramedics have training in proper lifting techniques. Do what you can to make them comfortable, stay calm, and offer comfort measures such as a pillow, blanket, and fluids until help arrives.