Falling Can Decrease Your Life Expectancy

DULUTH, Minn — “I fell in my home a few times and it was harder than heck to get up. Even with my roommate and my daughter,  it was just impossible. So I try everything not to fall,” said Kathy Aho, a Resident at Keystone Buffs.

Nonetheless, 1 in 4 older Americans reported falling in 2021.

And that’s the number one reason for seniors ending up in an Emergency Room.

Sandie Kirsch Doctor of Physical Therapy, Ecumen said, “When you were a child and you fell you may have gotten a skinned knee or a ripped pair of pants. But falling as an older person can be terrifying. A broken bone or head injury can have a long-term, negative impacts on the rest of your life.”

“Having that fall and then a hip fracture actually, really, really affects the longevity of somebodies’ life. You know, the morbidity and mortality rates following a hip fracture, It’s surprising, but it can really be limiting,” said Sandie Kirsch Doctor of Physical Therapy at Ecumen.

“I’m going to be 81 next month and you know, I don’t know you don’t get on comeback real quick for me,” said Jan Anderson a Resident Kestone Bluffs.” So that’s one thing that I worry about is and if I know I can’t do and go anywhere, I don’t. I know my limits.”

It may lead to thoughts and doubts about your abilities. Can I stay at home on my own or should I begin to consider moving to a senior facility?

“Not just people falling, but the fear of falling can really limit people too,” Kirsch eplained. “So they stopped doing things they normally do because they’re afraid they’re going to fall or they’ve had a fall and they are afraid they’re going to fall again.”

If you’ve fallen or are having concerns with balance, it’s important to see your doctor to discuss your situation. Doctors have identified several ongoing life events or illnesses that can make a person more prone to falling. These include having diabetes, heart disease, vision or hearing loss, and even a Vitamin D deficiency.

Chris Thison, a Physical Therapist  at Essentia, said, “We know that as people age, not only do we lose some strength, but we start to avoid some activity that’s harder which is normal too, because it’s harder and that actually increases the loss of strength. So the biggest thing is staying physically active, and having a good plan, meeting with friends, going for walks, making it easy and fun.”

There are many small changes that be easily be made in your home that will help keep you safer.

*Stairs can be a problem… Handrails on both sides of the stairs will help.

*Keep your living area well-lit and clear of clutter on the floor

*Small pets like a cat or a dog can be a tripping hazard

*In the bathroom, grab bars can be installed.

*It may be obvious, but if you have a cane or walker – use it.”

All the experts we talked with agreed there are steps you can take to limit the likelihood of falling.

“We want you to keep moving. We want people to get out there, strengthen your balance, and strengthen your bones to keep moving”, said Essentia’s  Allison Nicolson the Injury Prevention Manager.

Aother Essentia  therapist,Chris Thorsson, stated, “A key part of fall prevention is staying, keeping your muscles strong and working on your balance and staying active. Some falls are preventable and it’s worth taking the time doing the little things that help prevent the falls at home” said Sandie Kirsch Doctor of Physical Therapy … to keep you healthy, You can stay home longer … and more independently.

I think just staying active to start with, is going to be beneficial doing as much as you can for yourself”, I mean anything you can do to strengthen your legs, decrease that you know, muscle loss that we have as we age.

Just getting out walking and staying active that way, can be really helpful. Ecumen–Sandie Kirsch Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Charleen Bauer has called Keystone Bluffs home for two years. Charleen has been working to keep herself moving as she’s gotten older and is pleased that she is still very mobile.

“I use this and I walk, not really fast but kind of on the slow side, and just keep going. That’s about all you can do right? That’s right!” said Charleen Bauer a Resident of Keystone Bluffs .

Fear of falling is more likely to produce filling again. Because you tighten up and hold yourself tense. It’s very norma,” according to  Chris Torson.

Walking is a natural and important part of a person’s daily life. But being unsteady or having fallen in the past should not keep you from walking in the future.

Talk to your doctor, consider physical therapy, and make some changes to your home.

Falling should NOT be a normal part of life for seniors.