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As we age, the desire for independence remains strong, and many seniors choose to live on their terms, embracing the freedom that comes with independent living. However, with this newfound autonomy, it becomes increasingly important to prioritize senior safety. In 2020, 14.7 million older individuals lived alone in their community (5 million men and 9.7 …
Many things can cause a bruise: minor injuries, falls, small collisions. While bruises may hurt, they’re usually harmless. But sometimes, they might be a sign of a deeper problem. If you bump part of your body hard enough, you can break tiny blood vessels under your skin. But if you don’t break the skin, the …
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study of about 50 people with Alzheimer’s disease has added to evidence that damage to the inner ear system that controls balance is a major factor in patients’ well-documented higher risk of falling. Overall, the researchers say, their study found that impairment of the vestibular system was linked to a 50% …
You need your sense of balance to stand, walk, bend down, drive, and more. If it gets disrupted, you may struggle to work, study, or even do simple daily activities. Balance problems also increase the risk of dangerous falls. “Balance is really your sixth sense,” says Dr. David Newman-Toker, a neurologist at Johns Hopkins University. …
Being obese may raise a person’s risk of experiencing a fall by 31%. A common cause of injury among older men and women, falls are a major cause of disability, and – in some cases – hospitalization and/or death. Rebecca Mitchell, from the University of New South Wales (Australia), and colleagues analyzed data collected on …
Older men and women who exercise are less likely to fall; when they do, they are also less likely to have a serious injury. Falls among older adults are a serious yet common situation, and are a major cause of the loss of the ability to live independently. Fabienne El-Khoury, from Univ Paris-Sud (France), and …
Stressful life events significantly raise the risk of falls in older men. Among older men, the death of a loved one, as well as serious financial problems, significantly raise the risk of falls in the year following the incident. Howard A. Fink, from the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis (Minnesota, USA), and colleagues completed a …
Older women who consume milk, yogurt, and cheeses may be at less risk of falls and fall-related fractures. Dairy foods are an abundant source of high quality proteins and calcium, for which previous studies suggest a beneficial effect on muscle mass. Simone Radavelli-Bagatini, from Sir Charles Gardner Hospital (Australia), and colleagues studied 1,456 women, ages …
Two hours of aerobic exercise a week exerts a protective effect against falls. Falls are a leading cause of disability in the United States, and cause an estimated 19,000 deaths each year. Kristen J. Mertz, from the University of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania, USA), and colleagues studied the characteristics of falls among adults to ascertain the link …
Alterations in the blood flow of the brain caused by high blood pressure and other conditions have been found to signficantly increase the risk of falling. Researchers have found that altered blood flow in the brain, caused by high blood pressure and other conditions, significantly increases the risk of falls in elderly people. Farzaneh A …