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Falling with age
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According to the American Geriatric Society, in 2005, almost 16,000 older American adults died from falls; 433,000 were hospitalized; and 1.8 million were treated in emergency rooms. Vision and balance difficulties contribute to fatal falling accidents but several factors can influence the consequences of a fall. 1. Weight. Injury severity is reduced in folks who are lighter weight. Obese people who fall sustain more bone breaks, torn ligaments and stretched tendons. 2. Muscle mass: Maintaining muscle mass by use of free weights even into very advanced years--note the marvelous Jack Lallane who still lifts and is over 90--can limit serious injury. When falling, strong muscles prevent twisted limbs, wrenched shoulders, and dislocated discs.
3. Handrail use in bathrooms and All stairs: People need to grab that handrail even when navigating three or four stairs at a time. If feet slip, arms can support the weight. Also, consider installing stainless steel handrails in all bathtubs. According to www.human.cornell.edu 26,000 elderly people are injured each year from falls in bathtubs.
4. Helmets: Helmets should be worn by everyone but especially those over fifty when skiing (even on the bunny slope), biking and climbing. As shown by Natasha Richardson, even a very low speed, low impact fall can cause subdural bleeding which progresses rapidly to death.
In Roanoke, an older accomplished symphony orchestra French horn player fell while walking a large dog. The musician ignored the tight band of pain around his upper calf. When the pain persisted, a visit to the doctor revealed a large blood clot in his leg caused by the fall. The musician died approximately one week later from the complications associated with the blood clot.
Falling prevention is best practiced assiduously by those over fifty.
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