From HealthNewsDigest.com

Seniors
Tips for Helping Your Elder Avoid Falls
By
Sep 1, 2016 - 9:59:48 AM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Burlingame, CA, September 2016 - Taking a tumble is no trivial matter for older adults, but falling is by no means an inevitable part of aging, according to Elizabeth Landsverk, MD, founder of ElderConsult Geriatric Medicine.

The sheer numbers related to falling - which happens to more than one-third of Americans over age 65 each year - are terrifying: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among seniors, resulting in more than 2.8 million injuries treated in emergency rooms, more than 800,000 hospitalizations, and more than 27,000 deaths annually.

Unless proactive steps are taken to slash falls, these numbers might only increase as aging Americans become more prevalent. Seniors age 65 and up will account for 20% of U.S. residents within 25 years, according to the American Psychological Association. "These startling statistics certainly deserve the attention of not only elders, but those who love them," says Dr. Landsverk, who is board-certified in geriatric medicine, internal medicine and palliative care medicine and founded ElderConsult Geriatric Medicine, a house calls practice addressing medical and behavioral issues often facing older patients and their families. "At their worst, falls can cause hip fractures, broken bones and head injuries. But even when they don't injure people physically, falls can greatly affect an elder's quality of life," she adds.

"Many older adults curtail their activities and social lives simply because they fear falling, which can lead to negative effects such as isolation and depression."

Why do seniors fall?

According to the National Council on Aging, several common factors increase the risk of falling among older adults. They include:

Fall prevention tacticsBeing aware of the risk factors for falling is a big step toward preventing falls from happening. If you're worried about your senior's risk of falling, Dr. Landsverk offers these tips:

"The good news is that many falls can be prevented," says Dr. Landsverk, also an adjunct clinical professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. "Helping your aging parent, grandparent or other loved one cut their falling risk ultimately helps them stay healthy and independent for as long as possible." Elizabeth Landsverk, MD, isfounder of ElderConsult Geriatric Medicine, a house calls practice in the San Francisco Bay Area that addresses the challenging medical and behavioral issues often facing older patients and their families. Dr. Landsverk is board-certified in internal medicine, geriatric medicine and palliative care and is an adjunct clinical professor at Stanford University Medical School. http://www.elderconsult.com
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