Falls in old age - prevention and safety for an active life

People who fall in old age are often no longer able to get up without help from others

Attacks of dizziness increase the risk of falling in old age and may indicate illnesses

Risk of falling for biological reasons

As we age, muscle strength, eyesight, and hearing decline. Various age-related illnesses affect our mobility and senses, and even the medications used to counter age-related complaints can have side effects that increase the risk of falling in old age. Declining strength and coordination make it difficult to break a fall and avoid injuries. Our own biology quite literally trips us up.

Check for yourself whether you or your relatives have one or more of the following biological factors contributing to falls in old age .

• Balance problems: Our sense of balance is located in the inner ear. This is where the fluid-filled semicircular canals and vestibular sacs are found. With every movement, this fluid flows over fine sensory hairs, which signal to the brain the position of the body and how quickly we are moving. As we age, the balance organ reacts more slowly. If the sense of balance is impaired, the brain often registers too late what position the body is in. Fast movements in particular - for example, suddenly standing up - can overwhelm the organ, causing those affected to lose their balance or suffer attacks of dizziness. In addition to the resulting risk of falling, it also becomes very difficult to hold on to something or break the fall. Besides the aging process, medications or illnesses, for example, can negatively affect the sense of balance.

• Visual impairments: From age-related short-sightedness to conditions such as cataracts or glaucoma, various factors can impair vision in old age. Anyone who cannot see an obstacle cannot avoid it. Vision and eye health should be checked regularly so that sufficiently strong visual aids can be worn. If glasses are too weak, there is, among other things, a risk that distances will be misjudged . Vision problems can also cause dizziness.

• Cardiovascular diseases: Illnesses that affect circulation often also affect the sense of balance. People with low blood pressure often struggle with circulatory weakness, including fainting spells. High blood pressure can also cause dizzy spells.

• Dementia and other mental impairments: Mental disorders - such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease, for example - cause states of confusion and ultimately lead to an incapacity in which those affected lose themselves. Eventually, they are no longer able to recognize fall hazards. Without professional support and care, accidents at home would only be a matter of time.

• Consequences and symptoms of illnesses: Various illnesses can severely impair balance, physical strength, or coordination skills. For example, people with Parkinson's disease temporarily lose all control over their movements. People with epilepsy may also suffer serious falls during a seizure. The consequences of a stroke often include paralysis, which increases the risk of falls and can be addressed only with intensive therapy.

• Medication side effects: Some medications cause side effects that cloud consciousness, trigger dizziness, or slow reflexes. In addition, drugs such as sleeping pills and sedatives often continue to affect older people for longer, while a younger body processes these substances more effectively. Interactions can also occur between different medications, disrupting consciousness or balance.

• Weakened muscles: Muscle strength supports the body, keeps it upright, and enables the hands to hold on to railings, for example. When grip strength declines, this protection is missing. Weak muscles in the legs, abdomen, and back reduce the chance of preventing a fall when you trip over an obstacle. The muscles of older people are often so weak that after a fall, they lack the strength to get back up. The sense of balance can also perform its function only when the muscles are flexible and strong enough to convert signals from the inner ear into corrections of posture and movement.

• Diabetes: Diabetes, a widespread condition, also increases the risk of falls as a side effect, so to speak. For example,  low blood sugar can cause severe disturbances of consciousness, including loss of consciousness. The diabetic foot - one of the possible complications of diabetes - causes impaired sensation in the feet. The ability to feel pain and pressure decreases, and those affected literally lose their footing. In old age, the risk of falls due to diabetes increases further when the disease occurs together with other factors described here.

• Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that can develop in various joints of the body with advancing age. Wear and tear or injuries to the joint cartilage cause the bones to rub directly against each other. As a result, the bone tissue is subject to pathological changes and deformities that cause severe pain. The hands - especially the finger joints - knees, spine, and hips are particularly often affected. Accordingly, the mobility of affected patients is severely restricted. Osteoarthritis in the legs impairs a secure stance - in the hands, it affects grip strength and dexterity. Osteoarthritis is often confused with arthritis by non-specialists. The latter, however, is inflammation of the joints, which can occur, among other things, as a consequence of osteoarthritis. Arthritis also restricts mobility due to the pain it causes.

• Osteoporosis: So-called bone loss is a common age-related disease that causes bone tissue to become porous. Although it is normal for the body to break down bone mass with increasing age, this process progresses unnaturally quickly in osteoporosis. As bones lose density, they break more easily - in severe cases, even under minor stress. Since the disease often remains unnoticed for a long time, targeted screening examinations are recommended from the age of 70 onward.

• Low blood pressure or anemia: Low blood pressure - hypotension - is not dangerous in most cases, but it can cause impairments that increase the risk of falling. If blood pressure drops sharply, it can lead to racing heart, dizzy spells, and other circulatory problems . In rare extreme cases, those affected suffer occasional fainting spells. If these symptoms occur at an unfavorable moment, when, for example, there is no safe seat nearby, older people in particular may fall.  Anemia causes very similar symptoms - however, it is caused by a reduced number of red blood cells or a lack of hemoglobin.

• Physical impairment and disability: Missing limbs severely limit physical abilities and can sometimes also increase the risk of falling. If, for example,  leg prostheses are not securely fastened, they could slip under load and give way under the wearer's weight. People affected by leg amputations often have to learn through extensive therapy to cope with their new reality and move around in everyday life again. Various physical disabilities or degenerative diseases also severely restrict mobility - one example is multiple sclerosis, which gradually destroys the body's nerve fibers.

Many of the biological factors mentioned above can also occur at a young age. However, as age increases, their effects become more problematic and overlap with other age-related health problems. It is important to always pay attention to your own health and be honest with yourself. Many illnesses and conditions can be treated - otherwise, there are almost always alternative ways to cope with the changed situation. If you know that biological factors put you at greater risk of falling, sources of risk can be eliminated more easily. Because when the body and senses no longer cooperate, even a home that is so familiar can become a dangerous place.

Risk of falling due to factors in your surroundings

Many accidents happen in the home because trip hazards can lurk even in familiar surroundings. Slippery rugs, smooth floors, and steep stairs can of course trip up people of any age, including healthy people – but the effects of aging increase the likelihood that an obstacle will be overlooked or a handrail missed. Identifying potential sources of danger that could cause falls in the immediate surroundings is therefore important for minimizing the risk of falls.

• Trip hazards: Door thresholds, raised rug edges, low tables or stools, and objects lying around can make even healthy, young people trip. For seniors with limited coordination and mobility, they become dangerous trip hazards. If grandchildren are visiting or children live in the house, make sure no toys are left in the middle of the way. Balls, skateboards, and toy cars in particular can cause rapid falls if a foot steps on them, as they slide away without resistance.

• Smooth floors and loose rugs: You may know the scene from the famous play “Diner for One” in which the butler James repeatedly trips over the tiger's head on an old-fashioned runner. Although such floor coverings are hardly found in homes today, even simple rugs or the floor itself can contribute to falls. Make sure that all rugs lie flat and have no wrinkles that feet could catch on. On smooth floors, runners and rugs can be secured against slipping with adhesive strips .

• Fall hotspot: Bathroom: Bathrooms, especially showers and bathtubs, pose a particularly high risk of falls in old age. Tiled floors and the ceramic surfaces of bathtubs and showers are very slippery when wet. Even healthy, young, fit people need to move carefully here. Seniors who lack the necessary strength and mobility face an increased risk of falling especially when getting in and out of the shower or bathtub . Later in this article, we will discuss how to make bathrooms, showers, and toilets suitable for seniors.

• Stairs: Climbing stairs is strenuous and requires a high degree of coordination - healthy young people are usually unaware of this. In old age, however, it can become very difficult to use stairs, as strength and coordination decline and climbing stairs places considerable strain on the heart. Not only do falls frequently occur on stairs - the consequences of such falls are often very serious. Sometimes the drop is considerable, and repeatedly hitting the steps and finally the floor can cause multiple injuries. Therefore,  no objects should be placed on the stairs either. In many old houses and apartments, there are differences in height between individual rooms that are bridged by single steps. These are easily overlooked and pose a constant risk of falling.

• Incorrect footwear: Shoes - even “slippers” and house shoes - should fit securely on the foot and not wobble. Poorly fitting shoes slip off the foot too easily and thus become tripping hazards themselves. Flip-flops and similar slip-on shoes are exceptionally unsuitable footwear for people at risk of falling. They slip off the foot too easily and can get caught on obstacles - especially when walking backwards. If special shoes must be worn due to an illness - for example, diabetes - they should be precisely fitted by an expert. Although the shoes should fit securely, they must never cause pressure points or restrict blood flow. Many socks also pose a fall risk when you walk across smooth floors in them. It is advisable to wear socks with non-slip soles.

• Unsuitable clothing: Very loose clothing, wide sleeves or “baggy trousers” may be comfortable, but they carry the risk of getting caught on edges or door handles. Anyone who already has balance problems can quickly stumble as a result.

• Insufficient lighting: Anyone who cannot see an obstacle cannot avoid it. Therefore, ensure good lighting in all rooms and hallways. Stair treads, edges and changes in level in the home can be marked with glow strips to make them visible even in poor lighting conditions or in the dark.

• Risk of falling in public spaces: Tripping hazards in your own home can be identified or removed. Things look different when you leave the house. Even today, by no means all buildings are accessible. Stairs, escalators, steep footpaths, e-scooters abandoned haphazardly on sidewalks, or even tree roots during a walk in the woods pose a constant risk of falling. Nevertheless, exercising outdoors is important and healthy. Frequently traveled routes could be walked together with another person to identify possible fall risks and commit them to memory. Walking aids, from walking sticks to rollators, compensate for poor balance as well as a lack of strength or stamina.

Seek professional medical or therapeutic help if you have already fallen

Falls in old age due to negligence or improper behavior

Unfortunately, some people are too negligent about their own health and thereby increase their risk of falling in old age. Naturally, it is unpleasant to confront the effects of aging on oneself. Many older people who have already fallen conceal the incident or downplay the danger. The fear of losing control or being patronized by others is often greater than the fear of injuries from falling. Yet anyone who suppresses the risk of falls in old age exposes themselves to a far greater danger.

• Lack of exercise: Too many people get far too little exercise. Typical “diseases of civilization,” such as back problems or joint wear and tear, often originate at a young age, when, for example, people work mainly while sitting and do not compensate with physical activity. Anyone who already experiences pain during simple movements often limits their activities, thereby tending to make the problems even worse. If we do not use our motor skills, they deteriorate over time, so that even people of middle age often suffer from excess weight as well as declining coordination and mobility. Muscles that are too weak cannot adequately support the joints and reduce the chances of breaking a fall or getting back up afterward without assistance.

• Alcohol or drug use: Intoxicating substances generally have a negative effect on the sense of balance. In addition, being under the influence often reduces the ability to recognize tripping hazards. Alcohol consumption can lead to overconfidence and dangerous recklessness. Many drugs slow reflexes and confuse the senses. Anyone at risk of falling should avoid alcohol or drug use or at least limit it significantly. However, some people are obliged to take drugs - in the form of medication - because of illnesses. In these cases, it is important to clarify with a doctor whether there are side effects affecting perception or the sense of balance.

• Stubbornness and false pride: Ignoring the risk of falls in old age and refusing to acknowledge this threat is one of the greatest dangers. Statistics show that one fall is often followed by others. Every fall in old age carries the risk of serious injuries and permanent damage. Yet many falls could be prevented if those affected dealt openly and honestly with their situation and prepared better for the circumstances that accompany aging.

Falls in old age - various other causes

• Unsuitable or damaged walking aids: Walking aids are helpful only when they are optimally adjusted to the individual and the correct aid has been chosen for the situation. Walking frames and rollators, for example, should be adjusted to the person's height and arm length . The condition of the walking aid should also always be monitored. Walking sticks, crutches, and walking frames are equipped with non-slip rubber feet. As these wear down, they lose their grip on the ground and should be replaced as soon as possible. The wheels and parking brakes of rollators and wheelchairs must also be checked regularly to ensure that they move smoothly and do not come loose and roll away when the brakes are engaged.

• Fear of further falls in old age: The fear of falling again after a fall can be almost as dangerous as the fall itself. This can lead to a crippling insecurity that causes those affected to move less and less, thereby worsening their physical condition. In fact, this makes it more likely that further falls will occur.

Who is considered at risk of falling?

If one or more of the factors described above apply to you, you may be at risk of falling. Statistically speaking, biological causes of falls increase with age - at the same time, physical and sometimes mental decline means that hazards in the surrounding environment pose a greater risk of tripping.

Studies conducted by Stuttgart's Robert Bosch Hospital have shown that  almost one-third of people over 65 fall at least once a year. From the age of 80 , almost every second senior is affected by age-related falls.

A fractured femoral neck is one of the most feared consequences of falls in old age

What consequences can falls in old age have?

Falls in old age can have serious consequences because our  body becomes more susceptible to injuries as we age . Skin abrasions, bruises, or sprains - including wrist sprains caused by trying to break the fall - are still among the less serious consequences.

This is because injuries often occur that require medical treatment. Every year, around 400,000 patients over the age of 65 are treated for fall-related injuries in German hospitals.

Because older people often lack strength and quick reflexes, many seniors hit their heads when they fall. This can cause serious injuries ranging from concussion to brain hemorrhages. Since retirees often take blood-thinning medication, such bleeding can be particularly dangerous.

If  paralysis, speech disorders, or impaired consciousness  occur after a fall on the head, there may be a brain hemorrhage, which must be treated in hospital as quickly as possible. A doctor should also be consulted if the person who fell was unconscious for a while.

With age,  bone density  steadily decreases. Therefore, any fall in old age can result in broken bones. A typical fall-related injury in older people is a  fractured femoral neck. The pelvic bones or coccyx may also be affected, depending on which part of the body bears the brunt of the impact.

When falling forward, people generally try to brace themselves with their arms. This can result in  fractures of the ulna and radius, wrists, or elbows . Every bone fracture also carries the risk of internal bleeding if bone fragments or fracture edges injure the surrounding tissue.

Thus, every fall in old age carries the risk of a long hospital stay or even becoming dependent on care. Take precautions in good time to keep your risk of falling, or that of your relatives, as low as possible.

It should be noted here that, of course, not only older people fall. Many of the previously mentioned  causes of falls can lead to falling at any age  - younger people simply usually have a better chance of breaking their fall without serious injury or recovering from its consequences.

Installing grab bars in suitable places in the home ensures that supports are available where they are needed

What can I do to prevent falls?

A large proportion of falls in old age could be prevented with appropriate  fall prevention . If people at risk of falling are unable to do this themselves because of dementia, senility, physical weakness, or other effects of aging,  relatives or care services should take steps to prevent falls .

First, you should search the home and its immediate surroundings and  remove as many tripping hazards as possible. Remove loose or damaged rugs, clear loose cables or objects lying around out of the way, and check the footwear of those affected. Rugs and runners can also be secured to the floor with double-sided adhesive tape to prevent them from slipping.

Particular attention should be paid to  protecting the bathroom against fall hazards . Smooth floor tiles are particularly unsafe when wet - however, there are also  tiles with slip-resistant surfaces.

The hard edges of a toilet, bathtub, or sink can cause serious injuries if someone falls onto them. There is also an increased risk of falling in the tub and shower itself when users are weakened by the effects of aging.

Various measures can be taken to secure the bathroom - from  installing grab bars next to the sink and toilet and in the shower and bathtub to a complete accessible renovation. For example,  bathtubs and showers with floor-level doors can be installed, making it much easier to get in and out. Alternatively, non-slip steps can be stacked in front of the tub.

The smooth floor of a bathtub or shower can be covered with safety shower mats. These have suction cups that hold them securely in place. To avoid having to stand the entire time, shower stools or shower chairs are also recommended; they can simply be placed in the shower. Washing people in need of care is also made considerably easier for caregivers or relatives who look after seniors receiving care at home.

If you would like to read more about senior-friendly bathroom design, we recommend our blog post on the subject: An accessible bathroom - the senior-friendly bathroom.

Another major risk of falls in old age comes from stairs . Climbing stairs is strenuous, and each individual step is another obstacle for people with limited mobility or frailty. Circulatory problems, muscle weakness, or a lack of coordination can cause feet to catch on the steps or lead to dizzy spells.

Anyone who falls on a staircase can fall a long way and land hard. Stairs in the home and garden should therefore always be equipped with sturdy handrails and guardrails .

Modern stairlifts can be installed on virtually any staircase and save you from having to climb the stairs

The safest method of navigating stairs safely is a stairlift . Their electrically powered seats travel up or down the steps and restore mobility in their own homes to people at risk of falling.

For example, there is no need to move to a home without stairs - seniors can continue living in familiar surroundings. In addition, modern stairlift systems are already very space-saving and easy to install.

If you are interested in having a stairlift installed, you can contact Medicalcorner24® directly, as your reliable supplier of medical products has partnered with Acorn, the renowned manufacturer of modern stairlifts that can be adapted to any staircase. Read more about Acorn stairlifts here.

Nursing homes and care homes are generally well equipped to reduce the risk of falls, especially among patients with dementia. On the one hand, rooms and hallways in a good facility are designed to prevent tripping hazards. On the other hand, aids are used to alert care staff to the behavior of residents with dementia.

Many institutions therefore rely, among other things, on  wireless safety mats, which are placed in front of the care bed. If, for example, a person with dementia gets out of bed at night, they step onto the mat, which immediately sends a signal to the care staff , allowing a caregiver to check on them.

Suitable physical activities can reduce the risk of falls in old age - for example, strength training with resistance bands

Measures that people at risk of falling can take themselves

You do not have to passively accept the decline of physical strength, balance, and coordination that comes with age. Many people go through their entire working lives without getting the right kind of exercise. Remaining in a seated position at a desk for hours on end is poison for the body.

In other cases, a drastic deterioration begins when people reach retirement age because those who have worked all their lives suddenly do not know what to do with themselves. Do not let that happen!

Movement is the key to maintaining coordination, strength, and reaction speed well into old age. And it is by no means necessary to engage in competitive sports. Daily walks already make a significant contribution, because the human body is designed to move forward while walking upright. At home, keep getting up to walk back and forth between rooms, or stroll around your home at a leisurely pace while talking on the phone.

Simple exercises can also help train your balance. For example, you can simply stand on one leg from time to time and maintain your balance. Or stand on your tiptoes, hold the position for a while, and then lower your feet again. Such exercises can easily be incorporated into your evening routine in front of the television, for example. After practicing while standing for a while, you can still lie down on the couch with a clear conscience.

Those who feel ready for a little more can also work with a so-called balance trainer . These are training devices with built-in instability - for example, round discs with a ball underneath or balance pads that resemble partially deflated air mattresses. You can step onto these balance trainers and thus train the deep muscles in the lower abdomen, abdomen, and back, which are needed to keep us upright. Exercises in which you support yourself with your hands on the training device are also possible.

Balance trainers can often also be combined with “slow” forms of exercise such as Tai Chi or yoga, both of which are excellent ways to combine strength and coordination training gently while strengthening the cardiovascular system. Those who attend such classes also meet like-minded people and can make new social contacts.  Training together with others often boosts motivation and is more fun.

Yoga originated in Indian culture and combines physical and breathing exercises. The body is placed in various positions, which are held for a while. These exercises are coordinated with deep breaths. There are  different types and levels of yoga – some focus primarily on the philosophical aspect of relaxing the mind and body, while others place greater emphasis on physical exercise.

Beginners can also start with simple yoga, even if they are completely “unathletic,” and gradually increase the intensity. The advantage of yoga is that it exercises the body with minimal strain while controlled breathing can also have an energizing and relaxing effect.

Tai Chi or “Taijiquan” originated in Chinese unarmed martial arts. However, over time, this martial art has increasingly developed into a relaxing form of exercise. In Tai Chi,  flowing sequences of movements are performed at a slow speed and with a  minimum of effort .

These movements create what are known as “forms” in “combat” against an imaginary opponent. Controlled breathing also plays an important role in Tai Chi. The movement exercises are good for the joints and help maintain and improve the mobility of the limbs. Studies have shown that the cardiovascular system and mental health also benefit from regular Tai Chi practice.

Water aerobics offers particularly safe and gentle exercise. The water supports most of your body weight, allowing even weakened or overweight people to exercise safely and without straining their joints. Appropriate classes are offered at many swimming pools.

They also have the advantage of allowing you to meet other people your age who have similar problems and make social connections. Exercising with like-minded people provides additional motivation, and you may find new friends with whom you can also do things in your everyday life.

Strength training not only builds new strength - active muscle tissue promotes good circulation and ensures better energy metabolism when you consume calories. Even carrying heavy objects can strengthen your muscles, heart, and circulation. This means that shopping bags can already serve as useful training equipment.

If you want to do more extensive exercises, you can use  dumbbells in various shapes and sizes. Since these training weights are available in many increments, from light to very heavy, you can adapt your training to your own abilities and gradually increase it over time.

 Resistance band training offers several advantages in old age over conventional dumbbell training.  Fitness bands or resistance bands allow the load to increase and decrease smoothly without exceeding your current physical strength. This type of training is particularly gentle on the joints. When training with dumbbells, on the other hand, you must move the full weight of the equipment at all times - the strain on the joints is greater.

It is of course advisable to maintain a certain amount of regular exercise and exertion  from a young age . Any loss of fitness and strength becomes increasingly difficult to make up for as you get older. If, on the other hand, you stay active, you have the best chance of preserving your mobility well into old age. It is  never too late to start exercising or engaging in physical activity.

However, it is advisable to consult your doctor before resuming sports at an advanced age. Depending on how fit you still are or what conditions you suffer from, you may need a training program tailored specifically to your needs. Many doctors' offices also offer geriatric preventive examinations  to assess your risk of falling and provide you with targeted advice on fall prevention .

 Wearing special protective clothing can reduce the risk of injury in falls. Many manufacturers of specialized medical clothing already offer so-called hip protectors . These are undergarments fitted with padding around the hips. Since many falls in old age end with an impact to the hip area, wearing these hip protectors can reduce the likelihood of a femoral neck fracture or other hip injuries.

It is also advisable to use walking aids, as these enable people with physical limitations to participate in everyday life and help many seniors retain their independence well into old age. Depending on how limited your mobility is - whether the limitation is temporary or permanent - various walking aids are available:

• Walking sticks: A walking stick is the simplest option when it comes to supporting part of your body weight or relieving strain on an injured leg. From a simple walking cane - which can also be a fashionable accessory - to height-adjustable forearm crutches, there are many options. Non-slip rubber ferrules at the end of the stick provide secure support when you lean on a walking stick. Walking sticks are useful if, for example, a foot or knee is injured or there are only minor physical limitations. In cases of significant loss of mobility or strength, other walking aids should be chosen.

• Walking frames: Walking frames are designed so that users can support themselves with their full body weight. The sturdy frames are made of metal or durable plastic and can sometimes support 130 kilograms or more. Soft grips protect the hands, while non-slip rubber feet ensure stability on all floors. The walking frame is gripped with both hands and moved forward a little with each step. In addition to everyday use, walking frames are also frequently used in physiotherapy - for example, when walking needs to be retrained after an operation.

• Walking frames and rollators: Rollators and walking frames with wheels function similarly to walking frames, but are equipped with wheels - in other words, they are mobile walking supports. Rollators also make it possible to cover longer distances - for example, when shopping. The wheels can be locked with parking brakes. Many models have fold-out seats and can therefore be used for a rest break at any time. Accessories such as shopping baskets or umbrella holders make it easier to carry items or attach umbrellas, enabling people to stay active outdoors in any weather.

• Wheelchairs: Those who can no longer walk at all or can barely walk should ideally sit in a wheelchair. Whether electrically powered or propelled manually, wheelchairs enable people to move around while seated in accessible indoor and outdoor spaces. Special safety belts for wheelchairs can be fastened to prevent weakened individuals from falling out of the wheelchair.

You can find various walking aids and accessories for crutches, walking sticks, and other supports in the Medicalcorner24® online shop.

What should you do if a fall has occurred?

The best preventive measures cannot prevent a fall from happening one hundred percent of the time. Therefore, you should have a clear plan for emergencies and prepare for such a situation. Seniors whose mental abilities are not too severely impaired by dementia, sedating medication, or the effects of the fall can call for help themselves if they carry a mobile emergency call system with them.

These emergency call systems generally consist of a simple button worn on a wristband or around the neck. As soon as the button is pressed, a nearby alarm center is activated, which immediately establishes contact with an emergency or care service. Helpers can set off immediately to provide the  fallen senior with prompt assistance.

Even if you manage to get up on your own after a fall, it is usually advisable to have a medical examination. The effects of some injuries only become apparent after a delay. This applies, for example, if you have fallen on your head - in this case, the possibility of a concussion or more serious consequences must be ruled out.

Fractures are not always immediately recognizable either - a hairline fracture in a bone could initially feel like a painful bruise until the “real” fracture occurs under strain. If serious falls result in internal injuries, bleeding into the tissue can occur and may not worsen the situation until hours later. When in doubt, it is  always better to be safe than sorry - in your own best interest.

Conclusion:

Falls in old age can never be ruled out entirely, but the risk can be reduced through fall prevention and an honest assessment of your own situation. If you observe yourself carefully and acknowledge that your strength and coordination are declining, you can incorporate precautions into your daily routine without giving up your independence or allowing others to patronize you.

The consequences of a fall could restrict your life much more severely. It is certainly better to use a walking aid than to no longer be able to walk. Taking the stairlift at a leisurely pace is surely a more pleasant experience than tumbling down the stairs.

At the latest when you suffer a fall through no fault of your own, it is time for medical checkups and a rethink of your daily routine. You will find that fall prevention does not restrict you nearly as much as you may fear. Take care of yourself and remain a part of your family and friends' lives, as well as those of your children and grandchildren, for a long time, and continue to participate in life. We truly wish you that!