Preventing Falls: Your Roadmap to Safety and Independence
In the United States, each year, a staggering 36 million falls affect individuals aged 65 and older, and one in five of these incidents result in severe injuries such as broken bones or head trauma. Shockingly, over 950,000 older adults are hospitalized due to fall-related injuries annually, with head injuries and hip fractures being the most predominant. Even more concerning, falling is responsible for over 95% of hip fractures. Furthermore, falls are the leading contributor to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Fall-related mortality rates have surged by 30% in the past decade.
What causes these falls?
There are several risk factors that could contribute to or increase the risk of falling:
Weak Muscles
Poor Balance
Cognitive Issues
Vision Problems
Medication that causes dizziness, lightheadedness, or drowsiness
As we age, most people decrease their activity level, negatively affecting their mobility, balance, and muscle strength. To put this into perspective, after the age of 30, our muscle mass decreases by 3-8% per decade, and after 60, this decline increases even higher. Combine this natural occurrence with inactivity, and you can see why muscle weakness and poor posture contribute to falls. This is why it’s so important to exercise regularly to help maintain muscle, mobility, balance, and strength.
Here are two important tests that help identify if you're a fall risk.
Remember that fall prevention is essential for maintaining independence and overall well-being, and incorporating physical activity can help individuals of all ages reduce their risk of falls.
Contact me today to schedule your assessment, and I’ll develop a care plan to help improve your mobility and strength.
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Not all exercises are for everyone. Before attempting a new exercise take into account factors such as flexibility, strength, and overall health to determine whether a particular exercise is appropriate for you.
This, like any other exercise, can result in personal injury. Any injury sustained from proper or improper use of this exercise is solely the responsibility of the exerciser. Performanceabove LLC disclaim any liability from injury sustained from the use of this exercise and suggest that you consult your professional healthcare provider before attempting any exercise or exercise program.
