Geriatricians Are Begging People Over 60 To Stop Wearing These Around The House

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for people 65 and older. A bad fall can happen suddenly and surprisingly. You can be walking along just fine when a slight misstep can lead to an injury that takes months to heal.

There are situations when you may already pay extra attention to avoid falling. For example, if you take a walk on a wooded trail, you know to look out for roots that might trip you or slippery leaves. Similarly, if you climb the stairs at a stadium, you may instinctively grab the handrail for extra balance. 

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But one place you likely let your guard down is your home. After all, it’s the space you spend the most time in, so you could probably walk around blindfolded and still know your way around. But most falls happen at home. There’s one easy way to reduce your risk of falling at home, according to experts.

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Why Older Adults Are at Increased Risk for Falls

If you want to reduce your risk of falling, it’s important to know why it happens in the first place. After all, it wasn’t something you worried about when you were younger, so why do you suddenly have to be more vigilant now? 

“Although older Americans are living longer and are healthier today than they have ever been, our balance, muscle strength, vision and reaction time generally worsen as we age. As a result, aging is associated with an increased risk of falling,” says Dr. Kenneth A. Knapp, PhD., chair and associate professor in the Department of Public Health at New York Medical College, who specializes in family caregiving and long-term care. 

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Dr. Julia Loewenthal, MD, an integrative primary care physician and geriatrician at Lutanen Health and an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, explains that changes in vision, reduced muscle strength, slower reflexes or changes in sensation in our feet all make it more difficult to maintain balance or catch yourself when you start to fall. 

Both experts add that certain medical conditions that increase the risk of falling are also more prevalent as we age, such as cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

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One Mistake Older Adults Make That Increases Their Risk of Falls at Home

There’s one mistake Dr. Loewenthal says that older adults make that increases the risk of their falls at home: wearing shoes with no back to them, such as flip-flops, mules, clogs or backless slippers. 

“Footwear plays a bigger role in fall prevention than many people realize. Shoes without backs can increase fall risk because they don’t securely hold the foot in place. When someone walks, their toes may naturally grip or curl to keep the shoe from slipping off. This can change their normal walking pattern and potentially affect their balance,” she explains.

Instead of wearing these types of shoes at home, Dr. Loewenthal recommends wearing comfortable, well-fitting shoes that have a closed or secure back, a supportive structure and nonslip rubber soles. “The most important thing is that the shoe stays securely on the foot without requiring someone to grip it with their toes to keep it in place,” she says.

It’s easy to get complacent at home and not give too much thought to what’s on your feet. But it matters just as much as it does when you leave the house. Remember, most falls happen at home.

Other Ways to Decrease Your Risk of Falling at Home

There are other ways to reduce your risk of falling at home besides wearing supportive footwear. “The first thing I’d recommend is to remove those loose rugs, especially near stairs. Securing them is not enough, as a slight curl at the edge can be enough to cause a trip and fall,” Dr. Knapp says.

To avoid falling in the bathroom, Dr. Knapp says to consider grab bars near the toilets and shower. “Frequent night trips to the bathroom, not uncommon among older men, have been associated with falls for two reasons: not being fully awake and poor lighting. Nightlights and taking a beat to focus one’s attention on being careful to and from the bathroom can help a lot,” he adds.

Both experts emphasize the importance of regular strength training and balance exercises. Dr. Loewenthal explains that bone density naturally decreases over time, making fractures more likely. She adds that we also tend to lose muscle mass and strength, which can make it harder to protect ourselves during a fall. Regular strength training can protect against this.

Dr. Loewenthal also recommends getting vision and hearing checked regularly and discussing any changes in their balance or walking with a healthcare provider. 

“Falls are not simply an inevitable part of getting older,” Dr. Loewenthal emphasizes. By putting all the tips recommended here into practice, you can reduce your risk of falling significantly. What’s most important is being aware of the risks and doing what you can to counteract them. You never age out of supporting your body! 

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Sources  

• Older Adult Fall Data. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Hidden Home Hazards: Older Adults More Likely to Die from Falls and Fires. National Council on Aging.
• Dr. Kenneth A. Knapp, PhD., chair and associate professor, department of public health at New York Medical College.
• Dr. Julia Loewenthal, MD, integrative primary care physician and geriatrician at Lutanen Health and an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.