Discover How Proper Eye and Foot Care Can Avert Falls In Elderly
Falls In Elderly
Falls are the most common but major comorbidity that occurs mainly in elderly individuals. The increasing risk of falls with associated conditions has a direct link to decreased functional capacity, mortality and morbidity. Falls also occur in children and athletes due to injury and other factors. To perform routine activities under both static and dynamic conditions, proper maintenance of balance and stability plays a key role in averting slips and falls. Balance is maintained by visual, vestibular and somatosensory senses combined with an intact, musculoskeletal system along with a good cognitive neural function. Any malfunction in one system raises the possibility of reducing balance with a higher chance of a fall.
What causes Fall?
Fall can be caused due to a number of reasons, but few common causes of falls include-:
- Cognitive impairment
- Balance disorders
- Poor eyesight
- Improper footwear
- Few medications may cause dizziness leading to falls
- Hazardous home environment or community
Vision Care
Falls due to poor vision can be a fear factor in elderly causing them to isolate socially. Vision care can be enhanced with proper prevention strategies thereby reducing the risk of falls.
Prevention strategies
- Get regular eye check ups
Getting regular eye checkups can help in identifying eye diseases as early as possible. This helps reduce the loss of vision by giving appropriate treatment in the early stages.
- Wear Appropriate glasses as prescribed. Choosing the right power glasses or protective glasses are as important in your vision care to prevent blurry views that make you tumble.
- Do eye exercises to improve your vision and for clear visibility
- Eat foods rich in Vitamin A that improves your eye health
- Do contact your optometrist incase of any redness or eye pain and get it treated right.
Role of Footwear
Choosing the right footwear is important to prevent falls related to it. Falls can be caused due to improper balance and choosing the right footwear may also help reduce balance problems to some extent. The right footwear can reduce slipping and tripping by providing adequate stability and support. Choosing proper footwear is vital for preventing falls, as it offers enhanced stability and safeguards against slips, trips and falls (STFs).
.Some recommendations on how to choose your footwear-:
- Never make a visual purchase of your footwear. Get it measured and see if it is properly fitted.
- A footwear for the elderly must ensure a firm heel cup that provides stability while walking, adequate arch support and non-slip resistance soles.
- The heels should be wide enough and very low so that it has good contact with the ground.
- Prefer Velcro strappings over laces or buckles that hold the foot more firmly. You can also avoid the fear of tripping in case the lace loosens.
- Ensure proper fitting shoes with adequate toe room as shoes that are too tight or too loose can cause you to lose balance and fall.
- Shoes with slip resistant soles offer a layer of great protection on wet or uneven surfaces.
- Choose shoes with padded cushions for better shock absorption to reduce the impact on joints. Padded cushions are particularly useful in elderly patients with orthopedic and neurological conditions.
- Consult a podiatrist in choosing the right footwear to improve your gait and balance.
A note from Balanced Gait and Pt
The importance of proper eye care and choosing the right footwear paves way for preventing falls in the older individuals. Taking proactive measures to a healthy and independent lifestyle begins with basic prevention strategies to meeting specialist. At balanced gait and Pt we choose the wellness of our patients and ensure they have a life well balanced.
References
1.https://www.cdc.gov/vision-health/prevention/taking-care-of-your-eyes.html
2.http://www.kadrmaseyecare.com/eye-health–care-blog/how-good-vision-helps-with-fall-prevention
3.https://www.aoa.org/news/clinical-eye-care/public-health/link-between-eye-examinations-and-fall-prevention-in-older-adults?sso=y
4.https://lighthousefootandankle.com/blog/2024/1/10/a-step-towards-safety-the-role-of-quality-footwear-in-falls-prevention-for-older-individuals