Some 30% of older Americans who live in their communities fall every year, as do more than half of nursing home residents. Falls are the 6^th leading cause of death in the elderly, killing some 10,000 a year. And they cost some $13 billion a year. So reports Mt. Sinai’s Dr Helen Edelberg. In fact, falls cause about 40% of all nursing home admissions.

Why do people fall? Only 10% of falls occur due to a single event; most occur due to multiple factors:

arthritis

muscle weakness

foot disorders

vision loss

balance loss

medication effects

Parkinson’s disease

other nerve disorders

acute illness

Stairs - 10% of falls occur on stairs, usually the last step

Slippery floors

Beds too high or too low

Trip risks: cords, etc.

Inadequate lighting

Eliminate clutter, especially on the floor

Floors should be smooth, not slippery

Carpets & rugs should be tacked or have skidproof backing NO THROW RUGS!!

Stairs should be well lit and have handrails on both sides. Fluorescent tape on the edges of the top and bottom steps can help.

Grab bars should be beside tubs, showers and toilets (there’s no ‘good’ place to fall in the bathroom!)

Tub seats and hand-held shower heads help also

Place rubber mats or non-skid strips in tubs and showers

Furniture should be out of the flow of traffic in the house, stable and without sharp corners

Improve lighting - add ceiling fixtures, use sound/motion activated lamps, increase wattage

Use night lights

Keep a flashlight at the bed

Don’t use step stools, or if you must, make it sturdy with a handrail and wide steps

Carpeting and curtains can minimize echoes and sharp noises

Avoid shiny surfaces/glare

Colors: yellow, orange & red are easiest for people with poor vision; contrasts help for doorways, stairs and walls

Use a portable phone

Get a "Lifeline" button-type emergency call service OR arrange for daily contact with a friend or family member.

In rain/snow/ice, use a cane or a walker

Wear warm boots with rubber soles

Carry salt or kitty litter in your pocket or car in icy weather

Stay away from slippery floors in public buildings.

Balance and gait training help. So does walking (improves endurance) and Tai Chi meditative movements. In an Australian study, group exercise was the single most important intervention in a fall prevention effort. When combined with home hazard reduction and vision improvement, falls dropped 14% annually.