As we grow older, gradual changes to our health and the medications we take can contribute to an increased risk of falling.
Every year, around one in three over-65s living in the community and one in two people aged over 85 will have a fall.
There are many reasons why the risk of falls and fractures increases with age, including weaker bones and muscles and being less mobile. However, many falls can be prevented and are often due to hazards that are easy to overlook but equally easy to fix.
Falls Awareness Week 2014 is about helping to reduce the risk of falls among older people by identifying some of those fixes.
There are many simple changes you can make around your home to reduce the risk of falls – indoors and out.
Checking for hazards which can cause a slip, trip or fall on floors, steps and stairs in the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and garden can help you to reduce the risk of falling.
It is also important to look at and address the fear of falling that some people may have. This anxiety may stem from having already had a fall and can lead to older people losing confidence and becoming isolated and depressed.
We also need to consider the role that medication can play in falls. Some medications including sedatives or strong painkillers can cause drowsiness, while others may alter your vision, hearing or concentration.
If you are worried about falls, Age Cymru has produced a guide called ‘Avoiding slips, trips and falls’. It gives tips on how to reduce the risk of falling at home and includes a self-assessment form about your general wellbeing.
‘Avoiding slips, trips and falls’ is available for free from Age Cymru’s Healthy Ageing Team by contacting them on 029 2043 1555, or emailing ageingwell@agecymru.org.uk. You can also download it from the Age Cymru website – www.agecymru.org.uk.
Rosalyn Williams
Health Initiatives Officer, Age Cymru
Every year, around one in three over-65s living in the community and one in two people aged over 85 will have a fall.
There are many reasons why the risk of falls and fractures increases with age, including weaker bones and muscles and being less mobile. However, many falls can be prevented and are often due to hazards that are easy to overlook but equally easy to fix.
Falls Awareness Week 2014 is about helping to reduce the risk of falls among older people by identifying some of those fixes.
There are many simple changes you can make around your home to reduce the risk of falls – indoors and out.
Checking for hazards which can cause a slip, trip or fall on floors, steps and stairs in the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and garden can help you to reduce the risk of falling.
It is also important to look at and address the fear of falling that some people may have. This anxiety may stem from having already had a fall and can lead to older people losing confidence and becoming isolated and depressed.
We also need to consider the role that medication can play in falls. Some medications including sedatives or strong painkillers can cause drowsiness, while others may alter your vision, hearing or concentration.
If you are worried about falls, Age Cymru has produced a guide called ‘Avoiding slips, trips and falls’. It gives tips on how to reduce the risk of falling at home and includes a self-assessment form about your general wellbeing.
‘Avoiding slips, trips and falls’ is available for free from Age Cymru’s Healthy Ageing Team by contacting them on 029 2043 1555, or emailing ageingwell@agecymru.org.uk. You can also download it from the Age Cymru website – www.agecymru.org.uk.
Rosalyn Williams
Health Initiatives Officer, Age Cymru
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