Many people believe that it's natural for older people to become less agile and prone to falls. However, falls can be prevented by avoiding the risk factors for falls in the elderly. Today, experts from the Chronic Disease Institute of the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention will share some simple tips for preventing falls in daily life.
Falls are the leading cause of death among the elderly.
A fall is a sudden, involuntary, and unintentional change in body position that results in falling to the ground or a lower surface, including slipping, slipping, tripping, and falling from a higher surface.
Falls pose a significant threat to the elderly, potentially leading to disability and severely threatening their physical and mental health, daily activities, and ability to live independently. Data from China's disease surveillance system shows that falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among people aged 65 and over in my country, and the fall mortality rate among the elderly increases dramatically with age, placing a heavy burden on families and society.
These risk factors are most likely to trip up the elderly.
Experts from the Chronic Disease Institute of the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention explained that falls in the elderly are not accidents, but rather indicate underlying risk factors that are preventable and controllable. Common causes of falls in the elderly include both internal and external factors. Furthermore, the risk factors for falls in the elderly are dynamic; changes in age, health status, and environment can all significantly impact fall risk.
Some personal factors can easily lead to falls, such as decreased gait stability and impaired balance function with age, decreased central control ability, prolonged reaction time, decreased balance and coordination ability, and decreased vision.
External factors are also potential dangers. If the environment is poorly designed, such as the lack of handrails in hallways or curbside ramps/rest areas, poor lighting or excessively bright light in rooms, or uneven, slippery, or obstructed floors, falls are more likely to occur. Alternatively, elderly people living alone may lack support networks and social interaction, leading to falls or a lack of timely medical attention, potentially causing more serious injuries.
These small details can prevent falls.
Improving home environment risk factors can effectively reduce falls among the elderly. Disease control experts will teach you some simple tips to reduce falls.
For example, you can place a small nightlight in an easily accessible place by the bed to ensure that there is bright light in the area where you can get up at night; install handrails and place non-slip mats in the bathroom; and edge furniture or choose tables and chairs with rounded corners to prevent secondary injuries in case of falls, etc.
In addition, wearing well-fitting clothing is also important. Clothing that is too long or too loose, as well as shoes that are worn out, can increase the risk of falling.
At the same time, persist in participating in regular physical exercise. Through conscious practice, enhance muscle strength and improve flexibility, coordination, balance, gait stability, and agility.
