As you age, you may find your body starts to break down in certain areas. Vision, hearing and general strength and mobility all tend to diminish over time, and these and other factors put you more at risk of taking a serious fall as you grow older.
Additionally, when you do fall as an older person, you may be more likely to experience significant injuries, in part because your bones tend to weaken over time. Learning to identify risk factors for falling can you help you stay on your feet. As you grow older, you may become more susceptible to falling for these reasons:
More immobile
If you are like many older Americans, your level of physical activity may slow down as you age. This reduction in activity can have negative effects that place you at greater risk of a fall, such as poor balance and reduced flexibility and bone structure.
Recovering from surgery
Certain complicated medical procedures, such as hip-replacement surgery, can enhance your risk of taking a tumble. You may be avoiding using one side of your body because it pains you in the aftermath of surgery. Painkillers prescribed during recovery can also affect balance and vision.
Taking certain prescription medications
While prescription painkillers can boost your chances of falling as a senior, so can your use of sedatives, antipsychotics and antidepressants. Certain medications taken at the same time can amplify the risks, so make sure your physician is aware of all medications you are taking before prescribing you any new ones.
Being in an improperly maintained area
Environmental factors can also increase your risk of a fall. Loose carpeting, insufficient lighting and a lack of proper handrails are some examples.
These are just some of the risk factors that make you more likely to trip and fall as an older person. If you suffered injury after falling on someone else’s property, you may want to get in touch with an attorney.
