Why should you worry about falling?
Each year, falls occur in more than 30% of persons 65 years of age or older, and many of these falls are recurrent.  Falls can result in serious injuries such as hip fractures, other fractures, or head injuries.  These injuries are not uncommonly associated with serious consequences including:  Fear of walking; loss of ability to carry out activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, shopping, or housekeeping; increased risk of placement in a nursing home; or even death.

Who is at risk for falling?
Most falls do not have a single cause.  Rather, they result from the combination of an individual’s predisposing factors and environmental precipitating factors. 

What are an individual’s predisposing factors?
1. Use of a higher number of medications.
2. Having been recently hospitalized.
3. Having an acute illness.
4. Having an exacerbation of a chronic illness.
5. Decreased vision.
6. A reduction in blood pressure with standing, known as orthostatic hypotension.
7. Impaired balance and gait.
8. Syncope and cardiac arrhythmia, (e.g. fainting or near-fainting spells).
9. Loss of strength or sensation in the legs, from aging or from diseases that affect the nerves (diabetes mellitus, chronic alcohol use, B12 deficiency, etc.)

What are environmental precipitating factors?
1. Hard, slippery surfaces combined with transfer activities make the bathroom a higher risk place for falls.
2. Falls in the kitchen are caused by slips and loss of balance while reaching and working.
3. In the bedroom, poor lighting and obstacles such as loose carpeting and furniture can result in a loss of balance precipitating a fall.  People can trip over loose wires or overhanging bed sheets and blankets.
4. Shoes that are poorly supportive or offer poor traction. 
5. Floor surfaces and carpeting that offer poor traction.
6. Ambulatory aids that are inappropriate for an individual or are sized inappropriately.