Home » Health & Wellness  » Alternative healing » Preventing falls Falling is a natural part of growing up. As a child, when we tumble down we feel a little embarrassed. We hope no one was watching and brush ourselves off. Then, in most cases, we get up and run to catch up with our friends. But as we age, a fall does not always mean you can get up and walk away. In older adults, a fall can set off a chain of events such as broken bones or torn ligaments, which will confine them to bed. This can lead to rapid deterioration in mental and physical health.

Falls are the leading cause of injury among the elderly. Over 25% of those over the age of 65 who fall, wind up in a nursing home. Because it takes longer for ageing bones and bodies to heal, older people are forced to take longer bed rest. The prolonged bed rest, in turn, can result in other medical problems such as bed sores, pneumonia and muscle weakness. If it is one of your parents who has had a fall, and you are working, then it could also mean long leave from work to look after them.

Falls can lead to fear and loneliness

What we often tend to overlook is the psychological damage a fall can do to an elder, making him/her unnecessarily cautious and fearful of falling again. This fear can often mean a lack of self-confidence, so essential for the elderly. It could keep an elder confined to his/her home, thus resulting in increased isolation and loneliness.

Falls can be prevented

Experts now believe that most falls can be predicted and prevented. In fact, over 50% of all falls are believed to be caused by hazardous activities and environmental factors. So this implies that there are many practical steps to ensure that the elderly people have a safe living space.

These precautionary steps could mean simple things like re-arranging the furniture, adding extra lighting in the bathrooms, keeping bedside tables away from beds or just simplifying the decor at home.

All this would go a long way and keep both you and the elders in your home happy and independent.