Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death and hospital admissions in people aged 65 years and over. A staggering 40% of adults over the age of 65 years of age fall each year. Furthermore, at least 40% of people who have been hospitalised because of a fall, will then require subsequent care in a nursing home.
Falls often occur in people who have problems with balance. Several body systems working together are responsible for balance: the visual system (eyes), the vestibular system (ears) and proprioception (the body’s sense of where it is in space). Balance disorders often cause an individual to feel unsteady when standing or walking. They can be accompanied by feelings of dizziness, spinning, or floating. When there is a loss of function in any of these systems, balance problems and falls are often the result.
Human balance depends on the interaction of our senses and our ability to control the movement of our bodies. These abilities decline significantly as we age, which can lead to falls, even when there are no identifiable neurological or musculoskeletal problems.
If you’ve had a fall in the past six months, your chances of falling may be increased. There are many factors that can increase the risks of falling.
These include:
– Hazards in the home:
- Poor footwear that is loose or does not fit well
- Indoor hazards such as internal steps, rugs on the floor, slippery floor tiles, inadequate lighting at night in hallways
- Outdoor hazards such as uneven or slippery footpaths, overgrown gardens or steps that don’t have handrails
– Sensory and balance problems:
- Muscle weakness
- Reduced vision
- Poor balance
- Decreased sensation
– Medications
The good news is that there are a number of things you can do to help prevent falls and minimise your injuries if you do fall. Knowing your risk factors and taking a few precautions is a good start!
Things you can do to reduce your risk of falling include:
- Eat healthily
- Keep fluid intake adequate
- Maintain an active lifestyle, with regular exercise
- Take medication only as prescribed
- Wear comfortable, firm-fitting, flat shoes with a low wide heel
- Wear shoes that have adequate grip to avoid slippery surfaces
- Do not walk in socks
At My Mobile Physio, our balance exercise programs and falls prevention strategies place significant importance on vision, lower limb strength and sensation, reaction time and postural stability. Our skilled physiotherapists provide expertise in balance and mobility problems for older people. We will identify the main factors causing your unsteadiness or falls, develop a management plan with you and provide you and your carers with information and support.
To find out more information, or to book a time to get started on addressing you or your loved ones recurrent falls and balance problems, call us now for an expert plan, treatment, and support system. At My Mobile Physio, we are committed to delivering the best and most tailored designed physiotherapy solution whilst ensuring you maintain dignity, confidence and independence.