Single Focal Lenses Could Minimize Slip and Fall Accident Risks in Elderly Persons

Wearing eyeglasses with multifocal lenses can actually increase an elderly person’s risk of suffering a fall accident when he or she is outdoors. Therefore, senior citizens, who spend a lot of time outdoors, may be better served if they shift to single focal lenses. Those findings come via a study conducted by Australian researchers at Sydney's Prince Of Wales Medical Research Institute.

The researchers studied a group of 606 senior citizens with an average age of 80, and gave half of them two pairs of glasses with single focal lenses. The remaining members of the group were asked to continue using their multifocal lenses as usual. Both groups were asked to record the number of fall accidents they suffered over a course of 13 months.

At the end of the study, researchers found that the risk of suffering a fall accident decreased by 8% in the case of the senior citizens who were using single focal lenses. However, this decrease amplified significantly when the elderly spent time outdoors at least three times a week. Among these persons, the risks of suffering a fall dropped by more than 40% if they were wearing single focal lenses.

This could be because when a person is wearing multifocal lenses while walking outside, his vision of the ground just ahead of him is blurred, thereby causing him to miss hazards, like a stone on the ground.. The person may not see the object, thereby suffering a fall.

Slip, trip and fall accidents involving the elderly are a special health concern for us. As Atlanta slip and fall accident lawyers, we believe that owners of both commercial and residential properties, should be taking more steps to accommodate the growing numbers of elderly citizens who will join the population as baby boomers age. 

New Studies Look at Ways to Prevent Fall Accidents in Elderly

Elderly persons aged 65 or above have a much higher risk of suffering slip and fall accidents. They are also more likely to suffer debilitating long term injuries from these falls that can severely impact their quality of life. In fact, about 20 percent of elderly persons who suffer a hip fracture after a fall accident, die within 12 months of the fracture.

With alarming statistics like these, it has always been a source of concern to Atlanta slip and fall accident lawyers that little research is done to find out why these people are at risk for such falls. However, as the New York Times says, new research involving the use of wireless sensors placed in elderly persons’ homes, are providing experts clues to understand what kind of conditions can increase the risk of falls, helping develop  preventative measures that can minimize the risk of falls.

The sensors are placed in carpets and clothing, and monitor the person’s walking patterns and general activity. This allows the researchers to study specific walking behaviors, like the length of the stride and body sway of the person to understand what factors increase the risk of a fall. When researchers are able to understand the factors that increase the person’s risk of a slip and fall accident, it becomes easier to develop preventative measures that can reduce the risk of a fall.

For instance, if a person is on medication that increases the frequency of urination, he may be at a much higher risk of a fall when he walks to the bathroom several times in the night. However, when he is taken off the medication, or the dosage is lowered, then it can change his urination frequency, thereby minimizing the need to walk to the bathroom at night, and lowering the risk of falls.

The studies show very promising results that could revolutionize the way we prevent geriatric fall accidents. Until now, there has been very little solid research into the prevention of falls in the elderly, and these new studies promise to shine a different light on fall prevention.

Awareness Campaign Focuses Attention on Slip and Fall Accidents and Senior Citizens

Last week, across the country and Georgia, senior citizens, healthcare agencies, and community organizations observed Falls Prevention Awareness Week, which is marked to raise awareness about the risks to seniors from fall accidents.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year 1 in 3 senior citizens aged 65 and above, suffer from a fall accident.  Of these, 20 to 30 percent will suffer injuries that are severe enough to impact their ability to lead active, independent lives. While slip and fall accidents can happen to just about anyone, these are more common in senior citizens who may have a variety of health issues that can increase the risk of a fall. Seniors may struggle with proper balance and gait, may have vision problems and a host of other issues that can impact their ability to prevent a fall. Also, seniors have a much higher risk of being seriously injured in a slip and fall accident than young adults or children.

For instance, as people age, they begin to lose mineral density in their bones, creating a condition called osteoporosis in which the bones become brittle, and are prone to breaking. When a senior adult who suffers from this condition falls, there is a greater risk of bone fractures. These fractures may take a longer time to heal because of the senior's advanced years. Seniors may also suffer from other medical complications that are exacerbated by the fall.

Slip and fall accidents can result in huge costs to patients. A person who has been injured in a fall can expect hospitalization expenses, doctor’s fees, medication costs, X-rays and diagnostics costs, physical therapy expenses and other related medical expenses. Patients may lose income because of days lost from work while they recuperate. When a patient returns home, he may find that he needs enhancements made to his house to help him enjoy the mobility he did before.

The CDC has the following steps for seniors to prevent fall accidents.

Exercise. It strengthens bones and improves your sense of balance.

Make sure that your medications are not placing you at risk for dizziness of drowsiness.

Make sure that you see your eye specialist for an eye test regularly.

Fall-proof your home by installing bright lights, and placing mats on shower and bath tub floors. Add railings on both sides of your stairs. Don’t forget the outdoor stairs. Install grab bars inside your shower or tub.

The Atlanta slip and fall accident lawyers at the Katz Law Firm represent victims injured in slip and fall accidents in Atlanta and across Georgia.