Osteoporosis: preventing falls

Reviewed by Dr Colin Paterson, consultant physician

Why prevent falls at home?
About 1 in 20 falls at home results in a bone fracture and of these, one in five is a hip fracture. Hip fractures have a high mortality rate; some 10 per cent of patients are dead within a month. In addition many older people lose their independence due to falls. While osteoporosis is a major factor in hip fractures, falls from other causes are at least equally significant. It is therefore important to do everything possible to prevent them happening in the first place.

What can be done to make the home safer?

• Wear appropriate, flat shoes.
• Wear glasses with the correct prescription and have this checked regularly.
• Avoid having loose rugs and carpets or trailing electrical flexes. Repair any torn floor coverings.
• Make sure the home is well lit.
• Be extra careful when taking medicines - especially sleeping pills and sedatives that may leave you drowsy and more likely to trip or stumble.
• Many elderly people need antihypertensive and diuretic medicines, which may increase the risk of a fall when given in high doses. Consult a GP to confirm that the dose is correct.
• Anyone who experiences dizziness or is at risk of falling should talk to their doctor about how their medication might affect this.
• Anyone who needs to get up during the night to visit the toilet should consider using a chamber pot to avoid the risk of falling in the dark. Otherwise, leave some lights on where possible and make sure the route from the bed to the toilet is safe and clear of items that could cause a fall.

Can hip protectors help?
Yes. The risk of an elderly person fracturing a hip can be reduced by 50 per cent using a hip protector. It is worn under the clothes, and cushions the hip should a fall occur.

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