Falling is the most frequent and
dangerous domestic accident for the elderly. This is because with advancing
age, the bone and muscle structures, as well as the joints, become weakened and
take much longer to recover. Therefore, having knowledge about the main risk
factors for falls in the elderly is very important to be able to avoid it and
preserve the health of their family members as much as possible.
This type of accident is very common
in the elderly for a number of reasons. Some of them are inherent to the
elderly state of health, such as postural control, balance, vision, hearing and
even muscle strength that may be compromised. For this reason, most people
prefer elderly care at https://myallamericancare.com/.
In addition, there are environmental
and behavioral factors that can be cumulative. These include the degree of
dependence on third parties for basic activities, physical inactivity,
obstacles in the home environment, among others.
To be able to reduce the accident
rate with loved ones you live with, check out the main risk factors that lead
to falls in the elderly.
Major risk factors
for falling in the elderly
According to a survey conducted in
SUS hospitals in São Paulo, in 60% of cases of hospitalizations due to the fall
of the elderly, the patient is a woman. The reason is that women have lower
muscle mass and are more active than men in the home environment, engaging in
daily household activities.
As for external factors, the main
facilitators of the fall of the elderly are the use of medications, the
behavioral profile of the elderly and the use of inappropriate shoes. The
combination of drugs can alter the level of consciousness, cause drowsiness and
impair vision. Inadequate shoes, such as slippers or those with heels over two
centimeters, also play an aggravating role in this situation.
Behaviorally, there are two factors
to consider: the first is the level of physical inactivity - that is, older
people who do not exercise are left with bone, muscle and weaker joints,
leading to further falls due to weakness and imbalance; The second point to
consider is the index of indoor activity, because the more elderly people
circulate in environments with objects that present an obstacle in their path,
the higher the rates of falls.
Avoiding the accident often also
means avoiding serious bone fracture, strong medications and even orthopedic
surgery, as these are often the consequences of falls in the elderly.
