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Why Are the Elderly Prone to Falls? by Cleo Gib
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Why Are the Elderly Prone to Falls? |
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Seniors
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Falling is no laughing matter for the elderly. Senior citizens are at high risk for falls, which can cause them to bruise, break bones, or even be unable to pick themselves up. When a senior citizen falls, it can be understandably devastating for the individual and their family alike. Thankfully, there are institutions like the LakePoint Rehabilitation Center that can provide mobility assistance to seniors. If you have a senior loved one, you might wonder why they are so prone to falls. The answer is not as obvious as you would expect. These are some details on why falls can happen to senior citizens, courtesy of the National Institutes of Health: - Muscle weakness, especially in the lower half of the body, is among the highest risk factors. Muscles degrade as people age, which can lead to loss of flexibility, strength, and stability.
- Dramatic changes in blood pressure is a problem afflicting many senior citizens and can cause seniors to lose balance or become dizzy and fall.
- Seniors tend to have slower reflexes, which makes them more likely to fall in reaction to an unexpected step, gap, or hazard on the floor in front of them.
- Orthopedic issues such as foot pain or numbness can increase your chances of falling when you are older.
- Vision loss is to blame for many falls. Many seniors have trouble visualizing their environment well, which can cause them to stumble or misjudge distance. This is especially common with those who suffer from cataracts or glaucoma.
- Certain medications can cause dizziness, body weakness, drowsiness, and other side-effects, many of which can make the elderly more likely to fall while walking or standing.
- Those who suffer from dementia or other mental disorders that cause disorientation or confusion may be more likely to fall due to a sudden unawareness of their surroundings.
- Osteoporosis and other conditions that affect the bones may make bodies less stable. This can make elderly individuals more likely to fall if they are standing or walking for an extended period of time.
The best thing you can do to prevent an elderly family member from falling is to make sure they have guidance or equipment like canes every time they attempt to stand or walk. If you do not feel you can provide this assistance on a regular basis or if some of the above medical conditions affect your loved
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