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

Why Do We Need Work on Preventing Falls

The Quay County Extension Service and the Health Council have form the Falls Prevention Network to help Quay County residents reduce our falls rate.

In the United States, every 29 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall. Every 15 seconds an older adult is treated in an emergency room for a fall-related injury. Nationally Falls remain the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans.

In New Mexico Falls are also the leading cause of injury-related deaths and hospitalizations among adults 65 years and older. Our rate is two times the national rate and we are the 7th highest in the nation for fall related deaths in older adults.

 

The costs associated with falling are high.  In 2013, the direct medical costs of falls in the United States, adjusted for inflation, was $34 billion.  On average, the hospitalization cost for a fall injury was $35,000.  Falls are responsible for at least 95% of the hip fractures among older adults.  Hip fractures often cause an elderly person to lose functional abilities and develop other health problems. Sometimes hip fractures lead to death.

Follow our #SteadiAsYouGo on FaceBook and Instagram to learn how to help your friends and family members reduce their chances of a fall.