Are You at Risk for a Fall?

When we are young it is easy to blame sudden falls on environmental factors, such as loose carpets, slippery floors, and uneven surfaces. But as we grow older, a sudden fall should raise the concern that something might be wrong.  Although the incidence of balance problems is known to increase significantly with age, as is the risk for serious injury, loss of balance and mobility are not inevitable as we grow older. Sudden falls regardless of age should be of concern.

How do you know if you are at risk for falling? There are several known risk factors that can increase your susceptibility to falling, such as your physical fitness/ailments, psychological and social factors, as well as your environment (the surfaces you walk on, obstacles, lighting, etc.).  Some common indications include:

• symptoms of dizziness or unsteadiness
• taking one or more medications
• a recent period of bed rest or inactivity
• loss of strength or feeling in the legs or feet
• loss of confidence in your ability to get around

In addition, many subtle indicators may be present which can be difficult to detect.   To complicate the matter, falls are typically not the result of a single cause or risk factor. More often, they are the result of a combination of several problems.