Falls are the leading cause of injury to seniors. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, one of every three people over the age of 65 experiences a fall. Cases involving high profile seniors, such as former first lady Nancy Reagan, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's grandmother and author Studs Terkel recently have called attention to the risk.

Preventing Falls

For seniors, it's a good idea to guard against falling whenever possible. The following suggestions can help prevent and fractures.

• Maintain a clutter-free home with clear walking paths through rooms. Eliminate tripping hazards and install grab bars, handrails and other safety devices in appropriate areas, such as bathrooms and bedrooms.
  
  
• Wear properly fitting shoes with nonskid soles. Never walk with only socks or stockings on your feet.
  
  
• Have adequate lighting in the home. Use nightlights between bedrooms and bathrooms. Make sure light switches are easily accessible by doorways.
  
  
• Consume a diet with adequate dietary calcium and vitamin D for good bone health. Do not smoke, and avoid excessive use of alcohol.
  
  
• Participate in an exercise program to maintain agility, strength, balance, and coordination.
  
  
• Have an annual physical and eye examination. Make sure any cardiac and blood pressure problems are fully evaluated.

Risks to Women

Although seniors of all ages are susceptible to falling injuries, a study done two years ago as part of the Womens Health Initiative estimates that hip fractures increase a woman's risk of dying by 15 to 20 percent within the year the injury occurs. Many physicians recommend bone scans as seniors age, but most hip fractures occur in women who don't have osteoporosis. There is no evidence that bone-building drugs often used to increase bone density would benefit that group.

The study indicates that several other factors besides bone density are helpful in predicting a woman's risk for hip fracture. Researchers used the information to create a Fracture Probability Calculator (http://hipcalculator.fhcrc.org/) that is useful in determining five-year risk of hip fracture for women over 50.

Among the issues were whether a woman's parents suffered from a fracture at an early age or whether she had fractured a bone herself before age 54. Smoking and use of corticosteroids are also important factors. Women with known risks should consult their physicians. They may be advised to consider calcium supplements, increase weight bearing exercise and to safety-proof their homes to prevent falls.

For More Information

GoodHealth.com's online Health Encyclopedia has more information on preventing falls that includes several additional tips or you can check the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Web site.