Your Safety
Top 10 Reasons for Falls
Falls are a leading cause of injury and hospitalization among older adults, and there are many reasons why elderly people are more prone to falling. Here are the top 10 reasons why elderly people fall:
- Balance and gait issues: As people age, their sense of balance and coordination can decline, which can make them more prone to falling.
- Chronic health conditions: Chronic health conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease can increase the risk of falls in elderly people.
- Medications: Some medications can cause dizziness or affect balance, which can increase the risk of falls. Older adults who take multiple medications are at higher risk of falling.
- Vision problems: Vision problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration can affect depth perception and increase the risk of falls.
- Muscle weakness: Muscle weakness due to aging or lack of physical activity can affect balance and coordination, making older adults more prone to falling.
- Environmental hazards: Environmental hazards such as uneven floors, poor lighting, clutter, and loose rugs can increase the risk of falls in older adults.
- Foot problems: Foot problems such as bunions, corns, and hammertoes can affect balance and increase the risk of falls.
- Alcohol use: Alcohol use can impair judgment and affect balance, increasing the risk of falls in older adults.
- Cognitive impairment: Cognitive impairment due to conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease can affect judgment and increase the risk of falls.
- Fear of falling: Fear of falling can cause older adults to avoid physical activity, which can lead to muscle weakness and balance problems, increasing the risk of falls.
A medical alert system is crucial for people who fall, as falls are a common and serious risk for older adults. A medical alert system can provide immediate access to emergency services in case of a fall, which can be life-saving in the event of a serious injury or medical emergency. With automatic fall detection technology, a medical alert system can even detect falls and call for help without the need for the individual to manually activate the device. By providing quick and easy access to emergency assistance, a medical alert system can help keep people safe and give them and their loved ones peace of mind.