Elders falling is one of the most serious health risks for older adults. One in three people aged 65 and over will fall each year. A fall can have a devastating physical and psychological impact, leading to disability, chronic pain, loss of independence, reduced quality of life, and even death.
Why Elders Falling Is a Serious Concern
Falls are a leading cause of injury-related hospital admissions among older adults. According to Preventing Falls: From Evidence to Improvement in Canadian Health Care by Accreditation Canada and the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), 8% of fall-related hospitalisations ended in death.
The World Health Organization also recognises falls as a major global public health problem, with adults over 60 among those at highest risk.
So what can families and healthcare teams do about it?
Risk Factors for Elders Falling
The risk of a fall can be as high as 85% in older adults who:
- Have two or more chronic conditions
- Have fallen before
- Take multiple medications
- Use a walking aid, such as a cane or walker
- Have a urinary catheter
A History of Falls Is the Strongest Predictor
The most powerful predictor of a future fall is a history of falling. In home care, people at risk are identified based on their fall history:
- High risk: a history of multiple falls
- Medium risk: a single previous fall
Inactivity and Bed Rest
Staying in bed for more than two days because of flu, illness, or a hospital stay can cause severe loss of the muscles responsible for stability and balance. Older adults do not rebuild muscle as quickly as younger adults, so even a short period of inactivity can greatly increase the risk of falling.
How to Prevent Elders Falling at Home
A fall prevention strategy starts with awareness of how serious the problem is. The next step is a clear plan to reduce each risk factor.
1. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment
Reducing risk begins with a full medical assessment by a geriatrician, a doctor who specialises in the care of older adults. Specialists in orthopaedics, cardiology, internal medicine, and endocrinology often request a geriatric assessment, because older adults have complex and overlapping health needs. Our geriatrics and dementia care service supports families through this process at home.
2. Medication Management
Taking several medications at once can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or low blood pressure, all of which increase the risk of falling. A regular medication review helps identify medicines that may need adjusting. Learn more about medication safety in homecare.
3. Removing Unnecessary Catheters
Urinary catheters that are no longer needed should be removed. Catheters carry a high risk of infection, and they also make moving around more difficult and less safe.
4. Staying Active After Illness or Hospitalisation
Getting moving again as soon as it is safe helps prevent muscle loss. Even simple activities, such as sitting up, standing, and short walks with support, help keep the body strong.
5. Geriatric Physiotherapy
Geriatric physiotherapy should be provided by a licensed physiotherapist who understands the patient’s other medical needs. The physiotherapist works on:
- Building stability
- Improving balance
- Improving gait (the way a person walks)
- Strengthening the muscles that support safe movement
Home Physiotherapy to Prevent Elders Falling
Physiotherapy at home allows the therapist to work with the patient in the exact environment where falls are most likely to happen, such as the bedroom, bathroom, and stairs. Exercises can be tailored to real daily activities, and family members can learn how to support safe movement between sessions.
Leaders in Home Care
Enayati Home Healthcare is committed to developing its staff and to the ongoing skills training needed to keep pace with best practice standards. Our home physiotherapists are dedicated to delivering safe patient care.
