Getting older comes with many positives – the joy of self-acceptance, wisdom and often more time to focus on friends and families. But, it can also mean small deteriorations in health which make you more susceptible to falls. Falls Prevention Week 2025 falls in September, and with the autumn and winter months being risk factors for falls there’s never been a better time to shore up your defences against accidental slips and falls.
Be aware of your health
There are some conditions that can make you unsteady on your feet, so it’s important to track any falls or other symptoms you have, in case it’s part of a bigger picture. And if you know you’re more likely to fall due to a health condition like low blood pressure, diabetes, heart conditions or vision problems, then it’s vital you follow any medical advice.
Often as we age our appetite decreases, but it’s still vital we eat enough to sustain ourselves. What we eat gives us the energy we need to power through the day and without it we can feel weak, something that we may not even notice until we go to get up. Similarly, staying hydrated can help to prevent falls due to lack of liquids. Aim for around six to eight glasses of fluid a day.
Getting up regularly to get yourself a drink can give you an extra boost when it comes to avoiding falls. The ageing process causes us to lose muscle strength and our balance deteriorates. Making sure you move regularly can help maintain strength, coordination and posture which will help reduce the risk of a fall.
Pick up on problems
Problems with vision or hearing can significantly increase your risk of a fall and yet are easily picked up by professionals. Make sure to get your eyes checked every two years so any problems can be identified as early as possible and rectified. Poor eyesight can lead to a loss in balance and coordination.
In the same way, hearing problems – whether an age-related deterioration, a build-up of earwax or an ear infection – can have a severe impact on balance. Often this can be quick and easy to put right, so always seek further advice if you’re experiencing any hearing issues.
Medication
There are certain medications that can cause dizziness and light-headedness, both precursors to falls. If you experience any side effects with medicine prescribed by your doctor you should always let your doctor know. Your dosage may need to be altered or a different medicine prescribed.
You may also need to think about supplementing your diet with a vitamin D supplement. This vital vitamin helps to keep our bones healthy and yet here in the UK we rarely get enough of it. The best way to get it is to expose the skin to the sunshine for short periods during the summer. Eating foods rich in calcium and regularly doing some weight-bearing exercises also help to keep bones strong and healthy, limiting the likelihood of a fall.
The impact of a fall
Sadly, the older we get the more severe the consequence of having a fall, this is because our bones become more fragile and susceptible to breakage as we age. At the same time, sarcopenia (age-related loss of muscle), a reduction in balance and gait, and postural hypotension – when blood pressure drops rapidly when you get up – can all mean the likelihood of a fall is stronger.
A fall can do more than just leave you with an injury, it can also lead to a loss of confidence, loss of independence and a decline in your overall health and quality of life. In later life, it is harder to regain full health following a fall, which in itself can leave you open to subsequent falls.
A simple solution
While it’s impossible to prevent every single fall, the use of technology can be a significant benefit to those who are at an increased risk of falling, such as an elderly person. Fall alarm technology has come on in leaps and bounds to the point where it’s even now possible to predict an event before it even happens.
The use of a personal alarm can ensure rapid emergency response and assistance when you need it. Wearable tech in the shape of a personal fall alarm can recognise if you have fallen and will automatically summon help. Getting help quickly is crucial to minimise the risks to health. And with a personal alarm, the onus is no longer on the user to raise help.
The use of a personal fall alarm can also ensure that you remain confident to continue living your life to the fullest. Our out-and-about personal alarm telecare service includes GPS tracking so your location can be instantly shared and is discrete and easy to use. Should you fall, a press of the button on the device will connect you with our team for immediate assistance.
In addition, the newest generation of personal alarms incorporate artificial intelligence technology which is able to use data-driven algorithms to help predict when a person is at risk of falling. It may do this by tracking a person’s movements, heart rate, sleep patterns and activity rate to help build up a picture of the user’s daily habits.
Predictive analytics help to detect any changes or abnormalities that could signify an imminent fall. This invaluable data can help carers and family members immediately provide assistance to help avoid a predicted fall. Many such AI-driven personal fall alarms include monitoring as standard, with teams alerted to any event that could signify a fall.
Your fall prevention companion
Here at Careium we’re on a mission to ensure you can retain your independence for as long as possible and feel confident in your daily habits. If you want to take extra steps to protect yourself against harmful falls then speak to one of our expert team members who can advise on the most suitable product for your needs.