HEALTH & WELLNESS
The other kind of fall
September brings a reminder that falls aren’t an inevitable part of aging
BY RON SMITH
“ W
HY DO YOU WANT TO GET RID of autumn?” That’s the question a friendly barista at the drive-
legs and incontinence that causes frequent trips to the bathroom. Environmental issues in the home like uneven or slippery floors, clutter, missing handrails or other trip hazards also contribute to falls. Balance issues can be caused by problems in multiple body systems. The eyes, hearing and nervous system all contribute to balance and can be assessed with simple testing to identify contributing factors. Once identified, these existing factors can be addressed with targeted physical therapy. Acknowledging a fall and being proactive puts you into a position of control since the actual risks can now be identified and appropriate corrections applied. How to prevent them Adaptive equipment is available to reduce identified risks, and it can be as simple as getting a new pair of shoes. Properly sized canes and walkers can contribute to continued independence. MFMD sees many individuals using assistance devices incorrectly and emphasizes the importance of proper training. MFMD also strongly recommends calling immediately when a friend or family member falls. It is not easy to lift someone after they have fallen, especially since they may lack leg strength. First responders have the equipment, technology and strength to safely make the lift.
be dependent on others and will preserve their independence anyway they can, which is why many do not report their falls to their family and doctors. By not reporting a fall, they miss the opportunity to address underlying issues that may contribute to their risk of falling and their potential loss of independence. Worse yet, not identifying and correcting an underlying condition creates an even larger issue — the fear of falling. The fear of falling increases the actual risk of falling. Studies show that the fear of falling is consistently associated with future falls because it can impact how people engage in daily activities. In addition to being psychological, it can actually affect balance, strength, movement, behavior and overall confidence, which now become additional obstacle to overcome. Researchers encourage family members and friends to avoid scaring their loved ones by pointing out potential fall dangers without also identifying resources, strategies, devices and The task of fall prevention awareness is to identify the many factors that contribute to the risk of falling and the strategies available to address them. Falls can be the result of health-related issues, such as poor vision, hearing loss, medications, foot pain or improper footwear, blood pressure issues, muscle weakness in the training available to assist them. What contributes to falls
thru window asked me when I mentioned I was working on an event for Falls Prevention Month. After a puzzled look, I quickly recognized we weren’t talking about the same kind of fall. For younger generations, fall means cooler weather, flavored lattes and changing leaves. For older adults, a fall is something more serious. Falling and a fear of falling are associated with injury, loss of confidence and even loss of independence. National Falls Prevention Awareness Month Statistics on falls and fall-related injuries are indeed worth noting. More than 1 in 4 seniors age 65 and older fall each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the number is probably much higher since fewer than half of the people who fall report it to their doctor. Falling also increases your chance of falling again. Maricopa Fire/Medical Department recently noted in its annual report that falls were the top reason for calls, with 1,005 calls related to falls last year. Unfortunately, many think that these numbers are just part of normal aging. Yet, most falls are preventable. We can actually take steps to reduce the risk of falling. Falls are underreported As a senior myself, I know other seniors highly value their independence. They do not want to
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InMaricopa.com | September 2026
September 2026 | InMaricopa.com
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