Falling—is it a part of ageing? In this blog, we'll go over some of the reasons for falling and how you can reduce the risks of falling.
Every year in the UK, more than 6,000 people die in accidents in the home and 2.7 million turn up at accident and emergency departments seeking treatment. But, because the accidents happen behind closed doors in isolated incidents they rarely attract public and media attention. RoSPA is one of the few national voices speaking out on this issue.
Accident prevention is easy, relatively inexpensive to deliver and can make a high impact, especially for those most vulnerable. RoSPA campaigns for change and provides a large range of resources to inform, educate and help to prevent accidents in the home and its surrounding area.
Falling: What are its Causes?
Failure To Engage in Physical Activities
Adults get less active as they age. And failure to exercise on a regular basis can cause reduced muscle strength and decreased bone mass. Therefore, it increases your risk of getting out balance.
Eye-related Diseases
Sight impairment in older people can double the risk of falling, which can potentially lead to serious injuries and loss of independence.
Side Effects of Medication
Some medications can have side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, and low blood pressure that can cause a person to lose their balance and fall.
Surgical Procedures
Surgery can still make a person groggy and less mobile, and this can make it very difficult for them to get around safely.
Environmental Hazards
Home hazards such as cords, loose floorboards and rugs, and dark pathways make fall more likely. Hazard-proof your home as soon as possible.
How can you reduce the risk of falling?
- Wear non-slip shoes
- Exercise for balance and strength
- Keep your rooms well-lit
- Get your blood pressure checked
- Manage your medications
- Get a vision check
- Reduce clutter
- Grab handrails if you need to
- Wear a smartwatch with an SOS feature
Falling can heavily impact the quality of life of people. Let's all support the awareness and help the older people in our lives understand that they can stay safe on their feet.
Consider getting a fall detection watch to help you and your parent have peace of mind. The CPR Guardian Personal Alarm Watch with Fall Detection is an easy-to-use standalone mobile phone watch with an integrated SIM card. It’s a personal alarm that contacts family. They can view the location and well-being of the wearer remotely by using the Guardian mobile APP for Android and iOS. Carers can call the fall detection watch just like a mobile phone. Please contact us if you need assistance.
