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Falling is the most frequent and dangerous domestic accident for the elderly. This is because with advancing age, the bone and muscle structures, as well as the joints, become weakened and take much longer to recover. Therefore, having knowledge about the main risk factors for falls in the elderly is very important to be able to avoid it and preserve the health of their family members as much as possible.
This type of accident is very common in the elderly for a number of reasons. Some of them are inherent to the elderly state of health, such as postural control, balance, vision, hearing and even muscle strength that may be compromised. For this reason, most people prefer elderly care at https://myallamericancare.com/.
In addition, there are environmental and behavioral factors that can be cumulative. These include the degree of dependence on third parties for basic activities, physical inactivity, obstacles in the home environment, among others.
To be able to reduce the accident rate with loved ones you live with, check out the main risk factors that lead to falls in the elderly.
Major risk factors for falling in the elderly
According to a survey conducted in SUS hospitals in São Paulo, in 60% of cases of hospitalizations due to the fall of the elderly, the patient is a woman. The reason is that women have lower muscle mass and are more active than men in the home environment, engaging in daily household activities.
As for external factors, the main facilitators of the fall of the elderly are the use of medications, the behavioral profile of the elderly and the use of inappropriate shoes. The combination of drugs can alter the level of consciousness, cause drowsiness and impair vision. Inadequate shoes, such as slippers or those with heels over two centimeters, also play an aggravating role in this situation.
Behaviorally, there are two factors to consider: the first is the level of physical inactivity – that is, older people who do not exercise are left with bone, muscle and weaker joints, leading to further falls due to weakness and imbalance; The second point to consider is the index of indoor activity, because the more elderly people circulate in environments with objects that present an obstacle in their path, the higher the rates of falls.
Avoiding the accident often also means avoiding serious bone fracture, strong medications and even orthopedic surgery, as these are often the consequences of falls in the elderly.
