Reducing the Risk Factors of Falls in the Elderly
Keywords:
the elderly, falling, risk factors, preventionAbstract
Falls are a significant public health issue among the elderly. Due to the rising incidence and subsequent falls correlated with the increasing number of elderly people, it is expected that the number of elderly people worldwide will reach 1,200 million by 2025. The objective of this article was to analyze the risk factors and reduce the risk factors for falls in the elderly. The definition of a fall is an event caused by a person’s loss of balance and falling to the ground at a lower level. Causing body organs to hit the ground or other objects, resulting in injury. It occurs in the elderly aged 65 years and over. The World Health Organization--WHO is reported to be the second-leading cause of death in the world. Factors related to falls have multiple factors, including biological risk factors, behavioral risk factors, environmental risk factors, and socioeconomic risk factors. Biological risk factors result in impaired movement and balance. Falls are affecting the physical, mental, social, and economic well-being of the elderly and their families. Physical injuries from falls result in minor to serious injuries that can lead to disability and death. Falls also affect the mental and social well-being of the elderly. It can lead to fear of falling, loss of confidence, reluctance to leave home, and depression. Affecting the economy of their family, they must pay for medical care, lost income from work, and travel expenses, including wages for elderly caregivers if they become bedridden. These affect the quality of life of the elderly in the long term. Reducing risk factors for falls can be achieved through risk assessment, finding the cause, and addressing it. By promoting health through exercises to increase muscle strength and balance, this is to prevent falls in the elderly. As a result, the elderly will continue to have a good quality of life.
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