Did you know that 25% of all seniors 65 years and older have falls every year? As such, fall prevention is critical for older adults, especially since your risk for falling increases each year thanks to declines in physical health along with potential complications from chronic conditions or side effects of certain medications.
If a senior citizen falls, there are immediate risks for serious injuries or even fatalities. But even if an older adult only sustains a minor injury, such as a sprain or a mild fracture, the long-term effects can be devastating. After falling once, the risk for another fall is doubled. In addition to the fear of falling, many older adults will avoid going out of the house, which will decrease mobility and independence within their own homes. The result? Increases in isolation and depression, and a dramatic reduction in quality of life.
So, how can Powder Springs podiatrist Dr. Alvin Cowans help protect seniors from falling? Proper foot care for seniors can go a long way in supporting fall prevention. But first, it's important to understand the risk factors that increase fall risks in the elderly.
Identifying Falling Risk Factors ![senior citizens walking together]()
Reduced balance and muscle loss increase your risk of falling as you age. So, if you can't lift heavy objects as easily as you used to, or if you're having a hard time standing on one foot, your risk may already be elevated. Fortunately, these risk factors can be reduced with regular exercise, focusing especially on boosting balance and building muscles. Try swimming, walking, or engaging in Tai Chi to help with fall prevention.
Other conditions also increase your risk of falling. If you have diabetic neuropathy, a form of nerve damage that can weaken your feet or cause their loss of sensation, your balance may be further reduced. Also, if you've experienced age-related vision loss, it will be harder for you to safely navigate your environment, increasing your risk of falling. Add in arthritis and joint stiffness, or medications that make you dizzy, and you've got a lot of risks to consider. And that's why now is the time to explore fall prevention, both at home and in our Powder Springs podiatry practice.
Fall Prevention at Home
To prevent falls at home, you can remove as many physical risk factors as possible. Create clutter-free walkways, bring in bright lighting and secure any loose rugs or other floor coverings. In bathrooms, use non-slip bath mats and consider installing grip bars for the shower or bathtub to help reduce falling risks. Avoid placing in-demand objects on high shelves, so that seniors won't need to use step stools to reach these items. Secure all railings on staircases, and think about placing special treads on those stairs to reduce the risk of falling.
Senior Citizen Foot Care: How Your Powder Springs Podiatrist Helps with Fall Prevention
Dr. Alvin Cowans makes sure to screen all elderly patients for increased falling risks. Then, if any health conditions or signs of aging have elevated that risk, he can make recommendations to help with fall prevention. One way we can support increased stability in seniors is by fitting you for an ankle-foot orthotic. These are medical devices that support the feet and ankles, providing stability and improving patients' balance. They can be custom-made, so that you're guaranteed to get a perfect fit, maximizing their ability to help with fall prevention and dramatically improving wearability and comfort. When they're in use, your gait should improve dramatically, reducing the likelihood that you'll trip and fall.
Another device to consider is the Moore Balance Brace, or MBB. It supports fall prevention because it improves your posture and reduces swaying. In fact, its so effective that the MBB is covered by Medicare. And getting fitted for this device is a very simple process: using an iPad-supported specialized camera, you can take 3D images of the feet, and fabricators will create a customized MBB based on those images. Once the MBB is delivered, its perfect fit will control motion in your forefoot by stabilizing your arches. It also has a stabilizing post in the back to further increase stability. And it comes with a user-friendly closure device and is crafted from leather to reduce user confusion and improve comfort and wearability.
Now, we often suggest wearing such devices during a senior citizen's foot care visit. But fall prevention isn't just important for older adults. So, if you've suffered a fall in the past, they may be worth considering. And, at any age, medical devices can't be the only piece of your fall prevention puzzle. You should also work on your strength and balance and make sure to exercise regularly if you're medically cleared to do so. Stick to any recommended forms of physical therapy. Make and keep all your scheduled podiatry checkups. And call the office or request an appointment here if any concerns arise between visits.
