Falls-what should you know about it?
There are several potential causes of falls in elderly patients, including:
- Medications: Some medications, such as sedatives and certain types of blood pressure medications, can cause dizziness and increase the risk of falls.
- Chronic conditions: Certain chronic conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and arthritis, can affect balance and increase the risk of falls.
- Vision problems: Poor vision or vision loss can make it difficult to see hazards that may cause falls.
- Lack of physical activity: A lack of physical activity can lead to muscle weakness and poor balance, increasing the risk of falls.
- Environmental hazards: Hazards in the home, such as cluttered floors or poor lighting, can increase the risk of falls.
- Poor footwear: Wearing shoes that do not fit properly or that do not have non-slip soles can increase the risk of falls.
- Dehydration: Dehydration can cause dizziness and increase the risk of falls.
By addressing these potential causes of falls, elderly patients and their caregivers can help to reduce the risk of falls and the associated injuries.
