As you age, you become increasingly susceptible to falling. But you may wonder, why are seniors more likely to fall?
Because the strength of your bones tends to deteriorate as you age as well, a fall that may have left little damage during your younger years may leave you in serious pain as you get older.
In addition to increasingly brittle bones and diminished overall strength, these are additional factors that place you at risk of falling as a senior.
So, why are seniors more likely to fall? Let’s look at some additional reasons:
Use of certain prescription medications
Some prescription medications, including sedatives and depression or psychosis medications, can affect your balance and ability to see clearly. The effects of prescription medications can intensify when you use certain varieties together, further increasing your chances of a slip-and-fall accident.
Diminished vision
Your eyesight tends to diminish over time, and this can enhance your chance of suffering a fall, particularly if you do not wear prescription glasses or contact lenses regularly or as directed. Your risk of developing certain eye diseases also tends to increase with age.
Environmental hazards
Environmental hazards can include anything from a dimly lit space to a poorly maintained staircase or sidewalk, and they all have the potential to contribute to your risk of a slip or fall. Environmental hazards may be particularly dangerous if you also have poor vision or rely on numerous prescription medications.
Any recent surgeries you had
You may also be more likely to trip and fall when you are recovering from surgery, particularly if the surgery is relatively major, such as a hip-replacement procedure. The pain you feel afterward may lead to diminished mobility, and it may also lead you to rely on one side of the body more than the other, which can also enhance your chance of falling.
Some falls are unavoidable, but others occur because of someone’s negligence. If you suffered an injury in a slip-and-fall accident, you may want to consult an attorney.
