Do you have a senior loved one who has a fear of falling? Are you in fear of what a serious fall may do to them?
There are many seniors who have serious apprehension regarding falling, especially if they have fallen before. These seniors understand that if they lose their balance, they could break or bone or even become unable to remain in their home alone.
Unfortunately, the statistics related to seniors falling are daunting and indisputable: emergency rooms all across the nation see an elderly adult who has a fall-related injury come in every fifteen seconds, and it is estimated that almost 22,000 seniors will die from falling each year. Here at Comfort Keepers–which provides in home care service for seniors in Santa Clarita–we have put together some of the primary causes of senior falls and some of the benefits of physical activity. 
The Primary Causes of Senior Falls
There are a number of different reasons that can cause an elderly person to fall. Whether a senior is living in their own home or a senior facility, environmental factors, functional status, and their medical condition all pay a role in the possibility of a fall.
- Weakening Muscles
As a person ages, they will often lose some of their muscle mass due to changing eating habits. An elderly person can experience a reduction in the nutritional value of the actual foods they eat each day. In some cases, seniors find themselves unable to cook for themselves, cannot go out and shop for groceries, or are unable to pay for the more healthy food options. Many seniors also cannot or do not receive much physical activity, which may lead to sarcopenia, or gradual muscle loss. When otherwise strong muscles become weaker, it will be much more difficult for the person to keep their balance. When a senior loses their balance, they are much more likely to fall and become injured.
- Medications
Certain medications can create periods of dizziness and unsteadiness, which may lead to the person falling (especially if a senior takes several different types of medications). Since certain medications can cause a person to become dizzy–including the commonly-taken blood pressure medicine–your senior loved one needs to be careful when standing from a sitting position.
- Dehydration
Dehydration is another common possible cause of a fall. When your senior loved one does not drink plenty of fluids, they can become light headed and confused, and their tissues may also weaken. There are some seniors who may not sense they are thirsty like they did in the past and never realize that they are not drinking enough water. When you are around your senior loved one, you should remind them to keep drinking all day long to stay well-hydrated.
While these points are the main causes of falls in seniors, there are number of other contributing factors as well. Some of these factors include: poor eyesight, shoes that do not fit properly, low blood sugar, furniture obstacles in their home, and drinking alcohol.
Fortunately, there are a number of things that can be done to reduce the chances of your loved one falling down, and many things that can improve the chance that they will remain free from injuries if they do fall. Some of these things may be easy for your loved one to remember to do, while others may require simple, frequent reminders.
Benefits of Physical Activity
If you want to reduce the chances of you senior loved one falling, they should remain physically active and maintain strong muscles. There are a number of balance activities that your senior loved one can do to improve their balance and give them confidence that they will not fall.
If you are interested in helping your senior improve their balance, Comfort Keepers in Santa Clarita can help. Our Comfort Keepers will come to your home and help your senior perform various balance exercises to build their strength, and will make sure that your loved one is comfortable, healthy, and safe.
Comfort Keepers
23900 Lyons Avenue
Santa Clarita, CA 91321
661-287-4200
