Globally, falling has become one of the leading causes of unintentional injury deaths. In Hong Kong, about 1 in 5 elderly experience falls every year and among those who fall, 75% would sustain an injury such as head trauma and broken bones. Recovering from a fall becomes more challenging as your loved ones age, and some may never reach their fullest health potential again.
Hip fractures are most likely caused by falling from a standing height, where the impact is to the pelvis. The resulting pain can be agonizing and can leave some elderlies bedridden even after surgery.
- Consider installing
grab bars at your home so your loved ones can hold onto something in the event of falls.
Recovery from hip fractures may be lengthy. Elderlies who are hospitalized for a fall-related hip fracture are 3x more likely to require long-term nursing home care than others.
- If your loved one requires home care support after a surgery, consider Evercare’s post-operative care and rehabilitation care services.
Hip fractures can also lead to complications and trigger other medical issues. Research has found that about 25% of elderly who experience hip fracture die within one year.
- Engaging in regular exercise to maintain muscle strength can reduce the severity of falls and improve your loved one’s ability to recover.
Head Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries and concussions can occur when the elderly lands flat or falls sideways. These may result in the loss of consciousness and long-term cognitive impairment. Damage to the brain can also lead to speaking difficulties and hearing loss.
If your loved one is taking blood thinning medications, seek immediate medical attention as they might have a higher risk of delayed brain bleedings.
Paralysis
If the elderly lands directly on their spine, it may result in paralysis and nerve damage. Not all spinal cord injuries result in immediate paralysis, however you should watch out for these early symptoms:
- Decreased sensation and weakness in limbs
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Difficulty breathing
To equip your loved ones with the ability to lessen the impact of falls, exercise programs that incorporate upper limb and core muscle strength can enhance their ability to rotate their trunk to land safely when a fall happens.
- Learn how Evercare’s physiotherapists can provide balance & strength training sessions as part of our fall prevention program offering.
IS YOUR PARENT having trouble balancing or walking on their own?
Our team physiotherapists and occupational therapists can provide in-home assessments to evaluate your family's mobility levels and fall risks. Learn how our fall prevention program can protect your loved ones from serious falls and costly hospitalisations.
Psychological aftermath
Fear of Falling. The consequence of falling is not as simple as a physical injury. Fear of falling is a common post-fall complication characterized by impaired confidence and self-perceived mobility problems. Your loved ones may feel anxious and overestimate their risk of falling, resulting in decreased social engagement and mobility.
Psychological impacts of falling may go unnoticed compared to physical consequences.
Studies have shown that 40-60% of elders who developed a fear of falling had self-imposed restrictions in their daily activities. Keep an eye on whether your loved one has reacted in any of the following ways after experiencing a fall:
- Less confident in navigating a familiar area
- Intentionally shifting their walking pattern
- Reluctance to go outdoors or participate in social activities
If psychological consequences are prolonged, it can greatly decrease your loved one’s quality of life. Consider our physiotherapy services to improve your loved one’s balance and coordination; helping them regain confidence also ensures that they are able to engage in social activities that are beneficial for their wellbeing (eg: morning exercises, tai chi).
Loss of Independence. Physical injuries and reduced confidence can set off a chain reaction that jeopardizes one’s sense of independence. Once a fall has happened, a simple task such as getting out of bed may start to require the support of a caretaker due to the elderly’s limited mobility and fear. Once our loved ones become dependent on caretaker support, they may end up dealing with the loss of dignity for the remainder of their lives.
More often than not, we see families take action to protect their loved ones from falling only after it has happened. By that point, they run the risk of acting too little, too late. Just like other health conditions, early prevention is key, which is why Evercare’s Fall Prevention Program is designed to help you get a head start on protecting your family’s safety and independence. From increasing muscle strength to making homes safer, this 3-week program can help to reduce the severe aftermaths of falls.
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