Falls are a significant public health problem. While people can fall at any age, older age is a key risk factor for falls (WHO, 2021). Several studies suggest that people with disabilities are at an elevated risk of falling, particularly when aging with increasing functional limitation (Finlayson & Peterson, 2010; Hulbert, 2019; Matsuda et al., 2014).
A variety of factors can increase a person’s risk of falling, such as underlying medical conditions, disabling conditions, loss of balance, poor vision, or certain medications (WHO, 2021). In addition, the risk of falling can also be due to environmental factors, such as wet or slippery floors, loose carpets, poor lighting, or seats that are too low such as a toilet or a bed (Research and Training Center, n.d).
How to Reduce the Risk of Falling
Although women aging with physical disabilities are at an elevated risk of falling, there are ways they can help prevent falls including:
- Have good lighting
- Install handrails on stairways as well as grab bars for your shower and bathtubs
- Use a non-slid bathmat in the shower and tub
- Use a shower chair
- Use a raised toilet seat or one with armrests
- Be sure carpets have skid proof backing or are secured to the floor
- Keep walkways clear of clutter, wires, and cords
- Use assistive devices if needed (e.g., a walker, a cane, a grabber to pick up things from the floor)
- Wear properly fitting shoes and clothing that will not interfere with walking; avoid clothing that is too long or too loose
- Engage in balance training
- Exercise to improve your strength, balance, and prevent falls. If you are afraid to exercise due to fear of falling, ask your doctor for a referral to a physical or occupational therapist
- Ask your healthcare provider to consider changing your medications that make your risk of falling greater
Resources
CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions. (2021). Fall prevention & home safety tips. Accessed December 21, 2021
Illinois Department of Public Health. (2021). Falls: Are people with disabilities at greater risk? Falls: Are People with Disabilities at Greater Risk? (state.il.us) Accessed December 21, 2021.
Mayo Clinic (2019). Heathy aging: Fall prevention: Simple tips to prevent falls. Accessed December 21, 2021.
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging with Physical Disabilities. (n.d.). How to prevent Falls: Aging well with the physical disability fact sheet series. Accessed December 19, 2021.
References
Finlayson ML, Peterson EW. Falls, aging, and disability. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation clinics of North America. May 2010;21(2):357-373.
Hulbert S, Rochester L, Nieuwboer A, Goodwin V, Fitton C, Chivers-Seymour K, Ashburn A. "Staying safe" - a narrative review of falls prevention in people with Parkinson's - "PDSAFE". Disabil Rehabil. 2019 Oct;41(21):2596-2605. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2018.1471167. Accessed December 21, 2021.
Illinois Department of Public Health. (2021). Falls: Are people with disabilities at greater risk? Accessed December 21, 2021.
Matsuda PN, Verrall AM, Finlayson ML, Molton IR, Jensen MP. Falls among adults aging with disability. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015 Mar;96(3):464-71. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2014.09.034. Epub 2014 Oct 19. PMID: 25449191.
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging with Physical Disabilities. (n.d.). How to prevent Falls: Aging well with the physical disability fact sheet series. Accessed December 19, 2021.
World Health Organization. (2021, April 26). Falls. Accessed December 19, 2021.