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Part 1: Understanding the Risk Factors and How Physiotherapy Can Help

As we age, our bodies naturally undergo changes that can affect mobility, balance, and strength. For many elderly individuals, falls represent one of the greatest health risks, often leading to severe injuries such as hip fractures, head trauma, or even death. The good news is that with the right prevention strategies and interventions, the risk of falls can be significantly reduced. One such intervention is physiotherapy, which can help improve strength, balance, and flexibility, all of which are key to preventing falls.

Why Are Falls a Major Concern for the Elderly?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths globally. In older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths, with approximately 37.3 million falls requiring medical attention each year worldwide. Within Victoria, one and three people aged 65 years fall each year, with 10 per cent having multiple falls and more than 30 per cent experiencing injuries requiring medical attention.

The impact of a fall can be far-reaching. Not only can it cause physical injuries, but it can also lead to emotional trauma, reduced confidence, and a decline in overall quality of life. For elderly individuals, the recovery process can be long and challenging, making fall prevention a priority.

Risk Factors for Falls in the Elderly

Falls are often caused by a combination of risk factors that can affect an individual’s physical, environmental, and cognitive well-being. Some of the key risk factors include:

  1. Decreased Strength, Balance and Reaction Time: As we age, muscles weaken and the ability to maintain balance becomes compromised. Poor strength in the lower legs and hips can make it difficult to support body weight, increasing the risk of a fall.
  2. Impaired Vision: Vision changes, such as cataracts or age-related macular degeneration, can reduce depth perception and make it harder to spot hazards in the environment.
  3. Medications and Alcohol: Certain medications and alcohol can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or lightheadedness, which can increase the likelihood of a fall. Polypharmacy (the use of multiple medications) is particularly common among older adults.
  4. Chronic Health Conditions: Conditions like arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes can impact mobility and increase the risk of falls. These conditions can affect gait, coordination, and strength, further complicating balance.
  5. Environmental Hazards: Poor lighting, uneven flooring or paths, and clutter in the home are common environmental hazards that contribute to falls. Tripping hazards such as loose rugs or cords can pose a significant risk.
  6. Loss of walking patterns: As we age our movement patterns become more linear due to multiple factors such as pain, fatigue, altered gait such as shorter steps and reduced sensory input.

How Physiotherapy Can Help

Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of falls by focusing on exercises and techniques that target strength, balance, and coordination. Our physiotherapists can assess an individual’s mobility and customize a fall prevention plan tailored to their specific needs. Physiotherapy interventions can:

  • Improve balance and coordination: Our physiotherapists teach patients how to improve their posture and balance, helping them stay steady on their feet.
  • Increase muscle strength: Targeted exercises can strengthen the lower limbs and core, improving overall stability.
  • Enhance flexibility and joint mobility: Improving flexibility helps increase range of motion, making it easier to move around safely.
  • Address the fear of falling: Our physiotherapists can also help individuals overcome the fear of falling, which is a common issue among the elderly. This fear can often limit mobility, making individuals more susceptible to falls.
  • Falls risk assessment: Our physiotherapists assess an individual’s risk factors for falls (e.g., balance, strength, vision, medications) and create a comprehensive plan to address these factors. This proactive approach helps prevent falls before they occur. There are several aids that can also help in case of a fall in high falls risk patients.

Next time we will cover prevention tips and general exercises to improve balance and strength. In the meantime, if you would like to discuss falls prevention and have a comprehensive assessment with one of our physiotherapists, feel free to book online or call us on 03 9885 4571.

By Stefan Billeau