Falls aren’t an inevitable part of getting older, but one in three adults over 65, and half of people aged 80 plus, have at least one a year.
Most falls don’t result in serious injury, although cuts, bruising, fractures and head injury can occur, which can reduce the person’s confidence, leading to them being withdrawn and losing independence. The natural ageing process means that older people have an increased risk of falling, usually because of balance problems, muscle weakness, deteriorating vision, and secondary or poorly controlled long-term conditions, such as heart disease, blood pressure, dementia and dizziness.
Slips, trips and stumbling are also more likely, especially with wet or slippery floors or in baths, with poor lighting, rushing to get to the toilet, especially at night, and catching the bed…
