Why are we experiencing an increasing fall rate in the elderly population?

According to the National Council on Aging, “Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans.” The good news is that the incidence of falls can be “substantially reduced”. However, a recent study published in JAMA (June 4) reports that death from falls in the aging population is increasing. In the over 75 age group fall related deaths rose from 8,613 in 2000 to 25,189 in 2016. That is an almost threefold increase!  If it is so easy to reduce falls, as the NCOA claims, why are fall rates increasing so dramatically?

Fall related deaths in seniors aged 75+ have tripled in the years since 2000. On the bright side, many of the risk factors responsible for this increasing fall rate are modifiable.

Several factors probably contribute to the increasing fall rate, including drugs that can upset balance. Indeed, in her article, Preventing Falls: 10 Types of Medications to Review if You’re Concerned About Falling, Dr. Leslie Kernisan’s list includes medications commonly associated with increased fall risk. Furthermore, she notes that it is one of the easiest risk factors to change.

Drugs are partly responsible

The University of California at San Francisco, Memory and Aging Center, also suggests avoiding many of the drugs commonly prescribed for dementia symptoms. These include medications for anxiety, incontinence, insomnia, depression, and pain; as well as drugs commonly prescribed for hallucinations, delusions, agitation and aggression.

Among the many undesirable side-effects of the drugs in these categories is the increased risk of falls. The USCF website article includes non-drug strategies to combat these symptoms. If you are at all concerned about falls it is probably worth a look.

Dementia increases fall risk

A co-author of the JAMA study listed people living longer with chronic conditions as a probable factor for the increased fall rate. We know from a 2009 study that elderly people with dementia fall at a rate eight times higher than those without dementia.

All of the articles cited here maintain that many of the factors that increase the risk of falls Saveare modifiable. Certainly, replacing  medications with safer alternatives is an obvious strategy.  Again, look at the list of drugs reported by the Memory and Aging Center to increase fall risk and the recommendations for replacing those.

Removing hazards from the living environment is perhaps the most obvious way to modify fall risk. Loose rugs and uneven floor surfaces are obvious dangers. Remove tripping hazards. Install slip resistant surfaces and grab bars in bathrooms. Read more about Alzheimer’s Safety and creating a safer environment.