Falls among seniors: causes, consequences and prevention solutions

Every year in France, more than 2 million falls are recorded among people aged 65 and over . These domestic accidents, often underestimated, can have serious consequences : fractures, hospitalizations, loss of autonomy, etc. However, solutions exist to reduce these risks and make daily life safer for seniors.

1. Why are falls so common among seniors?

Aging leads to physiological changes that increase the risk of falling:

🦵 Loss of muscle strength and balance disorders

• With age, muscles weaken and coordination deteriorates.
• Decreased reflexes increase the risk of imbalance.

👀 Vision and hearing problems

• Impaired vision makes it difficult to correctly identify obstacles.
• Hearing loss reduces perception of the environment (e.g., traffic noise, stairs).

💊 Side effects of medications

• Some treatments (sedatives, hypotensives) cause dizziness and drops in blood pressure.

🏡 Unsuitable environment

• Slippery floors, loose rugs, poor lighting... Home design plays a key role in preventing falls.
  
  

2. The consequences of falls: an impact on health and autonomy

📉 Sometimes serious physical injuries

• Around 130,000 hospitalizations per year are due to falls among seniors.
• Fractures of the femoral neck are the most common, requiring long rehabilitation.

🧠 A psychological and social impact

• After a fall, many seniors develop a fear of falling , leading to a decrease in physical activity.
• This fear can lead to progressive isolation and loss of autonomy.
  
  

3. Preventing falls: concrete solutions

💪 Adopt regular physical activity

• Walking, yoga and gentle gymnastics improve balance and strengthen muscles.
• Sessions adapted for seniors exist throughout France.

🏠 Secure the home

• Install grab bars in the bathroom.
• Replace slippery rugs with non-slip floor coverings.
• Increase lighting, especially in stairways and hallways.

🛡 Use innovative protective equipment

• The Elder airbag vest is an effective solution for protecting seniors in the event of a fall.
• It automatically detects the fall and triggers in 0.08 seconds , thus protecting the hips, back and neck .
  
  

Conclusion

Fall prevention is a major public health issue . By adopting good practices and using appropriate solutions , it is possible to significantly reduce these risks and ensure greater independence for seniors .