A fall is one of the most common, and preventable, events that threaten the independence of older adults. Each year, up to a third of older adults living in the community suffers a fall. This number increases to almost two thirds among older adults who have a history of a fall in the past year. Falls increase with age and with disability, with as many as half of all people in nursing homes falling each year.
Click on each of the topics below to display questions you can ask your healthcare provider about falls.
- Someone I know fell recently. Is that a sign of aging?
- What causes a fall?
- What should I do after a fall?
- How can I prevent falling again?
- Are there exercises that help prevent falling?
- Are there things I can do to prevent hurting myself if I do fall?
- Is there an evaluation or a test to see if I am likely to fall?
- What medical conditions can increase my risk of falling?
- Will limiting my activities prevent me from falling?
- I heard that if I fall, I would end up in a nursing home. Is that true?
Problems with walking and balance can increase with age and are commonly associated with falls and disability in older adults. At least 20% of older adults living in the community have problems with walking. This increases to approximately 50% in adults 85 years old and older.
Most of these problems are linked to underlying health care conditions. But they can be worsened by normal changes that occur with age and especially by inactivity. Less than 15% of older adults in the United States meet the recommended amount of physical activity each week.
As someone ages, balance and strengthening exercises are just as important as aerobic exercise, such as walking. Most of the time, problems with walking and balance can be improved with physical therapy and management of any health care condition.
There are many changes that can be made that can make walking or other physical activities easier. Exercise can actually help improve some health conditions, such as pain, weakness, and falling. Tai Chi, for example, has been shown to reduce falls by 50%.
Here are questions you can ask your healthcare provider about walking, balance, and strenghtening:
- As I get older, what kinds of changes should I expect in my walking?
- Is it normal for my walking speed to slow down?
- Are there tests to check my steadiness and walking?
- My healthcare provider ordered a walker for me. Do I really need to use it?
- I have arthritis pain in my back and knee. Should I limit my activities?
- Will physical therapy help with my walking or balance problems?
- What are the key types of exercise that are important as I age?