Falls in older people are a common and important problem that can have devastating consequences for individuals and their support networks. At least one-third of people aged 65 years and over fall once or more annually. Thus, 1 million older Australians currently fall each year. Unfortunately falls are more likely to occur as you get older, resulting in serious injuries such as hip, wrist and shoulder fractures, dislocations, soft tissue injuries, head injuries and a fear of falling that can result in loss of confidence and restriction of activities.
There are many factors that can increase the risks of falling. These include:
- Home hazards
- Poor footwear such as loose slippers, shoes that don’t fit properly
- Indoor hazards such as internal steps, rugs on the floor, slippery tiles in the bathroom, inadequate lighting between the bed and the bath room or toilet at night
- Hazards in the garden and outside areas of the house such as out side steps which don’t have handrails or are slippery, and uneven footpaths
- Sensory and balance problems
- Muscle weakness
- Low vision or blindness
- Poor balance
- Reduced sensation
- Medication
- Chronic diseases
Physiotherapists can play a crucial role in the prevention of falls in older people. There is strong evidence for the effectiveness of exercise in the prevention of falls. Exercise is an obvious choice as a fall prevention inter- vention because impaired muscle strength and poor postural control are known to increase the risk of falling and are amendable to change with ex- ercise. Appropriate, well-designed exercise interventions prevent falls in the general older population. Physiotherapists are also able to prescribe equipment such as a walking frame or stick to help you move safely. It is important that any equipment you do use is adjusted to meet your needs, is well maintained and you are taught how to use it safely. For a lot of older people it is important to remain in their own home, and keep their independence. To enable this, falls prevention can be crucial.
If you would like any further information on how physiotherapy can assist with falls prevention, please contact our friendly staff at Whittlesea Physiotherapy on 9176 2250.