It’s winter, so be careful about the falls

A few months ago, I got up from my favorite chair, unaware that our cat, Sox, was next to the chair. As I turned, I stepped on Sox. He ran and I fell over the rocking chair a few feet away from where I sat. The chair tumbled along with me. I bruised a few ribs in the crash but otherwise was fine. A first fall for me, and no more since then! 

Next Tuesday, Jan. 14, geriatrician Dr. Meg Skibitsky will be with us at the Geezer Forum to talk about the importance of fall prevention. We meet in the Umpqua Bank’s Community Room, 2:30-4 p.m. 

Winter seems to be a time when falls might happen more frequently. So Dr. Meg will help us understand (in her own words) that “falls prevention is a critical aspect of health and safety for older adults, as falls are a leading cause of injury and loss of independence in this population. 

"This discussion will explore the most common risk factors for falls, including medical conditions, environmental hazards, and balance or mobility issues. Practical strategies to reduce fall risk, such as home modifications, exercise programs, and medication management, will be highlighted. By addressing these factors, we can empower older adults to maintain their mobility, confidence, and quality of life.” 

My long-time observation of older people — and personal experience of being older — suggest to me that falls for geezers-in-training are more likely because we’re susceptible to balance problems and muscle weakness, to distracted attention, vision loss, or a long-term health condition (like heart disease, dementia or low blood pressure/hypotension). Dizziness and/or a brief loss of consciousness may result. 

You’ll find a number of helpful articles simply by Googling “Falls Preventions." One helpful article, “Why Do Older Adults Have More Falls?” came from WebMD.com.  

In my research, I’m reminded that the risk of falling increases with age, and more than one in four people over 65 years old fall each year:  

• 65–74 years old: 26.7% of people in this age group report falling 

• 75–84 years old: 29.8% of people in this age group report falling 

• 85 years and older: 36.5% of people in this age group report falling 

Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults 65 and older, and the medical costs associated with them are about $50 billion each year. However, falls are not an inevitable part of aging, and many falls can be prevented. 

But for those falls that happen, here are some things to know about falls in older adults. Most falls don't result in serious injury, but there's always a risk of broken bones. Falling once doubles the chances of falling again. Falls can cause older people to lose confidence, become withdrawn, and feel like they've lost their independence. 

Additionally, the quality of life can deteriorate significantly after a fall, and many older people may not recover their previous level of mobility. A piece of good news? Older adults who start exercising after a fall are less likely to experience another fall in the following two years.  

So Dr. Meg will share her positive take on how we can prevent falls during her time with us on Jan. 14, 2:30-4 p.m. at the Umpqua Bank’s Community Room. We hope you will join us then! The weather is supposed to be pretty decent, so we expect walking outside will not result in your fall! 

We will also have more information about the Future of the Geezer Forum after Sue and I move to Hillsboro, Ore., in mid-March. The forum is developing a partnership with SASI (Senior Center in Sandpoint). More on that next Tuesday! 

Paul Graves, M.Div., is the lead geezer-in-training for Elder Advocates, a consulting ministry on aging issues. Contact Paul at 208-610-4971 or elderadvocates@gmail.com.