Risk Factors for Falling

People fall for a variety of reasons. Some people are more prone to falls than others. These people generally have one or more “risk factor” for falls. This means they have a condition or a characteristic that makes them more likely to fall.

These characteristics significantly increase a person’s risk of falling:

• Being female
• Being white or Asian
• Being over age 65
• Being thin
• Smoking
• Having a family history of falls
• Having had a previous fall
• Having lower body weakness
• Having gait or balance problems
• Having osteoporosis
• Having foot problems
• Having low blood pressure or blood pressure that drops when the person stands up
• Having had a stroke
• Having physical limitations
• Wearing glasses or having other visual problems
• Having more than one chronic disease
• Having Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, seizure disorder, or other neuromuscular disease
• Having urinary incontinence
• Having Alzheimer’s or being confused or cognitively impaired
• Lack of exercise
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Low calcium intake
• Having early menopause
• Taking more than four medications
• Taking psychotropic medications
• Wearing shoes with thick, soft soles

Call the Extension Office for a brochure about Risk Factors on Falling and help yourself or your parents learn their risk levels.  #STEADIAsYouGo