Fear of Falling

Several weeks ago Lynda asked me to blog about the rate of seniors in hospitals. I'm still researching that. I can't find exactly what she asked about, but I do have some interesting information on seniors and falling. Anyone who has an older parent knows the fear of falling among seniors. Falls are the leading cause of injury and death among the aging population. As age increases the risk for falls and related injuries also increases.

Risk factors for falls include arthritis, depression, impaired cognition, vision, balance and strength, and the use of multiple medications. These factors increase both the incidence of falls but also the severity. Severe falls resulting in hospitalization expose seniors to infections and pneumonia, increasing mortality risk. During the year following a fall, the increase in mortality for seniors is significant.

Rates of falls among seniors aged 65 or older, range from four to ten falls per 100 individuals annually. The greatest proportion of seniors hospitalized for falls were those aged 75-84 (45%) followed by those aged 85 and older (34%) and those 65-74 (21%). The hospitalization rates among seniors aged 85 and older were five times higher compared to this younger group.

One of the biggest reasons for so many falls is that balance gets worse as we age. To help us keep fit and healthy as we age, we should all work on maintaining good balance. Balance and fitness tests are given at various health clubs, including the Y. They will evaluate you and determine if you need special exercises to improve balance. The Y has a six-week course that works exclusively on balance. Most gyms have senior programs with strength and flexibility programs that also incorporate balance exercises. Of course yoga classes will keep you in balance, in many ways.

Many people I know tell me their balance is getting worse yet they do nothing about it. It's such an easy thing to work on, and just 10 minutes a day will make a world of difference. Try tree pose, eagle pose and other yoga postures and you will find that your balance quickly improves. It's worth the few minutes a day it takes to possibly prevent a life threatening fall in the future.