Fall injuries have become the second-biggest cause of accidental deaths in Taiwan and about one in six people people aged 65 years or older has reported accidental falls, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) said last week, as it offered tips to help elderly people prevent fall injuries.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s 2024 deaths statistics, fall injuries ranked second among the leading causes of accidental deaths.
The HPA added that its 2021 National Health Interview Survey found that on average one in six older people have reported accidental falls, with one in 12 seeking treatment for fall injuries.
Photo: Taipei Times
Chou Yen-yu (周燕玉), an official at the HPA’s Aging and Chronic Disease Control Division, said the causes of falls in older people can be categorized into internal factors and external environmental factors.
The internal factors include mainly age-related muscle loss, which can cause decreased walking pace, difficulty rising from a seated position or going up and down stairs, she said.
It can be further complicated by vision and hearing impairment, ill-fitting glasses, or dizziness and blood pressure fluctuations due to taking multiple medications for chronic conditions, Chou said.
External environmental factors could be things such as suddenly waking up at night and going to the restroom in insufficient lighting, slippery bathroom floors or a lack of bedside railings, she said.
Chou said people might become depressed after a fall injury or reduce their physical activity due to pain or fear of falling again, which could accelerate muscle loss as well as cause more burden on family members or caregivers as they grow more dependent on them for daily tasks.
The HPA offered five tips to help elderly people prevent fall injuries.
First, family members should “proactively ask and assess risks” — asking older family members if they have fallen or have difficulty walking lately.
Second, integrate exercises into daily routine to help maintain physical stability. Showing older family members simple and safe fall prevention exercises they can do at home, such as seated leg lifts on a sturdy chair, or heel raises or alternating one-leg balance while standing and holding a table or the wall, could enhance lower body strength and overall stability.
Third, check medications and physical health regularly. Taking several medications, such as sleeping pills, painkillers or psychotropic drugs at the same time could cause drowsiness or dizziness. People can consult with a doctor to recalibrate their medications.
Fourth, create a safe home environment. Keep hallways well-lit and clear of obstacles, install anti-slip tape and grab bars in the bathroom and properly organize clutter and electrical cords to reduce the risk of falls from slipping or tripping.
Finally, the HPA suggested “choosing proper footwear and mobility aids” — wear well-fitting, slip-resistant shoes with full coverage and if necessary, use mobility aids such as canes or walkers to improve walking safety.
HPA Director-General Shen Ching-fen (沈靜芬) recommended older people and their families visit the HPA official website’s fall prevention Web site.
They are encouraged to follow the HPA’s Line account (https://lin.ee/mYuv4LE) where they can assess six key domains of intrinsic capacity — cognitive, mobility, nutrition, visual, hearing and psychological capacities — and learn more fall prevention tips, she said.
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