Medications May Increase Your Fall Risk
January 27, 2020
According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the leading cause of injury in older Americans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one-fourth of adults age 65 or older falls each year. Every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall.
This makes fall prevention one of the most important aspects of aging well. One of the leading causes of falls in older adults is the medications they’re taking. We discussed the dangers of taking too many drugs and how that can increase your fall risk, but some medications on their own can increase your risk.
Older adults are more likely to have high blood pressure, cardiac ailments, or live with chronic pain. Many medications that treat these conditions can cause dizziness or lightheadedness, which increase your chance of falling. Going without proper treatment is rarely an option, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about all the medications you’re taking and how to mitigate your risk of falling.
Protecting yourself
First of all, be sure and take your medication as prescribed. Taking too much or too little, or combining medications with alcohol, may increase your risk of falling. If you’re taking several medications, consider getting yourself a “days of the week” pillbox, downloading a smartphone app, or asking your personal voice device (like Alexa or Google Assistant) to remind you when to take your medication. There are also devices that dispense pills automatically at a particular time every day, which eliminates any confusion over whether or not you’ve taken your medication.
If there are no substitutes for a medication that you need to remain healthy that also increases your fall risk, your doctor may suggest other ways to mitigate your risk of falling. These may include:
Exercise
Exercise can provide numerous health benefits: squats, leg extensions and toe stands can strengthen the legs, providing more support when walking; exercises such as tai chi can help improve balance; and walking can improve strength, balance and endurance. Be sure to check with your physician before starting an exercise routine. If you experience any pain, dizziness or trouble breathing during or after exercise, talk with a doctor, nurse or physical therapist.
Wearing sensible shoes
Trade in those high heels or slippers for some sneakers with nonskid soles. Around the house, floppy slippers or walking around in socks or stockings can cause one to slip on hardwood or tile floors.
Fall-proofing your home
Nearly 50 percent of all falls happen in the home. You can help reduce the risk by taking some steps to make your home safer.
- Install handrails in the bathroom, a particularly risky place for falls.
- Put nonskid flooring throughout the house.
- Remove clutter and add nightlights.
Checking your vision
Poor vision increases the likelihood of a fall. Visit your ophthalmologist for a vision test and to check if there are any other issues, like glaucoma or cataracts, which may be increasing your fall risk.
Getting some help
Many falls occur while people are reaching to put away groceries, scrubbing away a stain high on the wall, walking the dog, or even bathing. Consider hiring a home care professional to assist you with daily activities that put you at greater risk of falling.
The most important thing you can do to lower your risk of falls while ensuring you’re being treated properly for your health conditions is to talk to your doctor. He or she can recommend ways to reduce your risk. There may be alternative medications that are safer for you. Discuss all the medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements. Certain combinations of medications can cause dizziness or lightheadedness. By working together with your healthcare provider, you should be able to find the perfect balance of lowering your fall risk while getting the necessary treatment for your medical conditions.