Every September, we're reminded of something most of us would rather not think about: falling. It's Fall Prevention Awareness Month, a time when health experts, like myself, try to get you to pay attention to a problem that's both common and commonly ignored.
The thing about falls is that they're like startup failures: everyone thinks they happen to other people until suddenly they're happening to you. And just like with startups, a little prevention can go a long way.
So what are the key takeaways from all this fall prevention awareness? Let's break it down.
First, falls are a bigger deal than most people realize. They're the leading cause of injury-related deaths among older adults. That's not a typo. Falls kill more seniors than car accidents. It's the kind of statistic that makes you wonder why we don't hear more about this.
But here's the thing: falls aren't inevitable. They're not just something that happens when you get old. Most falls are preventable, which brings us to the second key point.
Fall prevention isn't about bubble-wrapping your grandma. It's about understanding and managing risk factors. Some of these are obvious, like cleaning up clutter or fixing that loose step. But others are surprisingly subtle.
Take medication, for example. Certain drugs can increase fall risk, not because they make you dizzy (though some do), but because they affect your balance in ways you might not notice. It's like how a couple of beers might not make you feel drunk, but they definitely affect your driving.
This is why regular medication reviews are a key part of fall prevention. It's not just about what each drug does, but how they interact. It's a complex problem, the kind that's easy to overlook but can have major consequences.
Another surprising factor is vision. We tend to think of vision problems in terms of not being able to read or drive. But poor vision can mess with your balance in subtle ways. Your eyes are constantly sending your brain information about where you are in space. When that information is compromised, even slightly, your fall risk goes up.
This is why regular eye check-ups are crucial, especially as you get older. It's not just about updating your prescription. It's about catching issues like glaucoma or cataracts early, before they start affecting your balance.
Then there's the home environment. This is where a lot of fall prevention efforts focus, and for good reason. Most falls happen at home. But effective home modification isn't just about adding grab bars and removing throw rugs.
One of the most important aspects of home modification is lighting. As we age, our eyes need more light to see clearly. But it's not just about brightness. The quality and placement of light matters too. Harsh shadows or glare can be as bad as dim lighting.
This is where technology is starting to play a role. Smart lighting systems that adjust based on time of day or movement can make a big difference. It's an area ripe for innovation.
But perhaps the most important takeaway from Fall Prevention Awareness Month is the role of exercise. This isn't about running marathons. It's about specific exercises that improve balance, strength, and flexibility.
The interesting thing about fall prevention exercises is that they often look deceptively simple. Standing on one foot while brushing your teeth doesn't seem like much, but it can significantly improve your balance over time.
This points to a broader principle in health: small, consistent actions often have a bigger impact than dramatic, occasional ones. It's like how regularly backing up your computer is more effective than occasionally doing a massive overhaul of your system.
There's also a psychological component to fall prevention that often gets overlooked. Fear of falling can actually increase your risk of falling. It's a vicious cycle: you fall once, become afraid of falling again, and that fear makes you more likely to fall.
Breaking this cycle often requires a mental shift. It's about building confidence in your ability to move safely. This is where things like tai chi can be surprisingly effective. It's not just about the physical movements; it's about developing body awareness and confidence.
One of the challenges with fall prevention is that it requires thinking about a future you'd rather not imagine. It's like saving for retirement or buying insurance. You're preparing for a version of yourself that doesn't exist yet, and that can be uncomfortable.
But here's the thing: the best time to prevent falls is before they happen. It's much easier (and cheaper) to make changes now than to try to recover from a serious fall later.
There's a startup lesson here too. The best time to fix potential problems in your company is before they become actual problems. Whether it's technical debt, team dynamics, or market positioning, addressing issues early is almost always easier than trying to fix them after they've blown up.
So what's the ultimate takeaway from Fall Prevention Awareness Month? It's this: falls are serious, but they're not inevitable. With the right knowledge and actions, most falls can be prevented.
And even if you're young and steady on your feet, pay attention to this stuff. Share it with older relatives. Because someday, you'll be the older relative. And when that day comes, you'll want to be the one giving advice about fall prevention, not the one recovering from a fall.
After all, the goal isn't just to add years to life, but life to years. And it's hard to live life to the fullest if you're worried about falling with every step.
Fritzi Gros-Daillon MS, CSA, CAPS, UDCP, SHSS
Household Guardians, Owner
2019 NAHB Instructor of the Year
Published author of "Grace and Grit: Insights to Real Life Challenges of Aging"
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