There are many reasons why seniors are prone to fall.
Dr. Senthil Meenrajan, head of the Division of Geriatric Medicine at UF Health, said falls — which can lead to immobility, hip fracture or brain injury — can happen because of factors including lack of exercise, vision or hearing loss, environment blockers, side effects to medication, shoe issues and more.
Meenrajan said annual health screenings and using mobility aids, if needed, can help vulnerable seniors keep their feet planted on the ground.
“We want them to understand the aid is meant to help them perform better,” Meenrajan said. “You wouldn’t drive without your glasses if you don’t have 20/20 vision. If we set up goals and context of how using the aids can be beneficial, it tends to help ease them into the process.”
Florida residents pay the second-highest price for falls in nation, with one fall costing $10,725 per adult, according to Brooks Rehabilitation, a rehabilitation facility. Sumter County leads the state in fall-related deaths at nearly 74 deaths per 100,000 people, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The county’s large senior population contributes to the high fall rate. Fifty-seven percent of Sumter County’s residents are older than 65, making it the area with the highest number of residents over 64.
Brittney McCann, a researcher with the Sumter County Florida Department of Health, said the department’s Able, Stable, and Well program provides tailored fall risk assessment and fall prevention resources to seniors who take a one-time survey.
“Anyone at any age can fall, however, older adults experience a much higher rate of preventable fall-related injuries and deaths,” said McCann, program coordinator. “Prevention efforts could save you thousands in hospital bills alone and prevent injury and discomfort so you can enjoy your golden years.”
“These resources and recommendations are intended to encourage participants to take action to reduce fall risk by utilizing resources available to the community,” she said.
To qualify for the free healthy aging and fall prevention program one must: live in Sumter County six months out of the year, be 65 years or older, not be in a wheelchair and have no medical history of amnesia, dementia or Alzheimer’s. There are follow-ups six and 12 months after the initial enrollment to track a patient’s progress.
Although the Able, Stable, and Well program provides a custom plan, there are general steps everyone can take to maintain better balance and prevent falls — from getting yearly health screenings to practicing balance-building exercises.
Exercising and staying active can help you keep your strength, balance, flexibility and coordination in tact. If you have limited mobility, work with your provider or Able, Stable, and Well physicians to develop a custom exercise plan.
For seniors, nearly 60% of falls occur in their homes, according to the National Council on Aging.
To make sure your home is safe, clear walkways of potential fall hazards and add more lighting to avoid falling over things that may be hard to see.
Consider placing other devices around your home to keep you safe, including handrails for stairways, raised toilet seats with armrests and grab bars for the shower.
“The fall risk assessment provides customized resources within the community, such as grab bar installers for the toilet and showers, and individualized recommendations to reduce certain risk factors for that participant,” McCann said.
While there are steps to take to keep yourself safe and prevent falls, accidents happen. If you or someone you know falls, stay calm.
First, assess for injuries before trying to slowly get off the floor with assistance. If at any point when trying to get up you feel pain or are stuck, call for help or an ambulance.
Write down when, where and how you fell to tell your doctor who can assess if there is a need for further medical attention.
To enroll in the Able, Stable, and Well program, visit tinyurl.com/34u4ck8j and take the Fall Risk Assessment Survey. If you have questions about the program, email ASWSumter@FLHealth.gov or call 352-569-3134.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
