To mark national Falls Awareness Week (21-25 June 2010), NHS South East Essex is raising awareness of how to reduce the likelihood of a fall happening.
Making small changes in and around your home can make a big difference in reducing accidents. Some general advice for preventing falls includes:
- mop up spills straight away
- remove clutter, trailing wires, and frayed carpet
- use non-slip mats and rugs
- use high wattage bulbs in lights and torches so that you can see clearly
- organise your home so that climbing, stretching, and bending are kept to a minimum, and so that you do not bump into things
- get help to do things that you cannot do safely
- do not walk on slippery floors in socks or tights
- avoid wearing loose-fitting, trailing clothes that might trip you up
Falling is not an inevitable result of ageing, but the risk of falling increases as people get older. Falling and the fear of falling can make older people lose confidence in carrying out their normal activities. And, although most falls don’t cause serious injury, a fall can cause a broken bone, which may be difficult to recover from.
Some older people are reluctant to seek advice about fall prevention from their GP, and other support services, because they have the mistaken belief that their concerns will not be taken seriously.
The reality is that all health professionals take the issue of fall prevention in older people very seriously because they know the potentially serious impact that falls can have. As a result of this, a great deal of help and support is available for older people.
Advice for older people
Vitamin D and calcium
Research that was carried out in 2009 found that taking daily vitamin D and calcium supplements can strengthen muscles and bones, helping to prevent falls in people who are 65 years of age and over.
Young people with a chronic (long-term) condition, such as multiple sclerosis, that increases their risks of having a fall, may also benefit from taking vitamin D and calcium supplements.
However, the vitamin D and calcium supplements that are found in supermarkets often do not contain a high enough amount to provide full protection. Therefore, if you think that you would benefit from having daily supplements, you should speak to your GP who will be able to prescribe stronger supplements.
Medication review
If you are concerned that the side effects of medication that you, or your relative, is taking is putting you (or them) at an increased risk of a fall, you can request a medication review with your GP.
There may be alternative medications that you can use, or the dose of your current medication could be lowered or, in some cases, stopped altogether.
Sight tests
If you are concerned that poor vision is increasing your risk of having a fall, you should make an appointment to have a sight test so that your vision can be tested and assessed.
Although not all causes of age-related visual impairment can be treated, a number can. For example, surgery is an effective treatment for cataracts (a common age-related eye condition where cloudy patches develop over the lens of the eye).
To find out more about National Falls Awareness Week and how to get involved visit www.helptheaged.org.uk/fallsday
National Fall Awareness Week was set up in 2005 to promote the services and interventions that can help reduce the risk of a fall, and encourage older people to get active in later life.
