Tripping and falling, the second-most cited cause of death for people aged 65 or older, deserves more attention, as Taiwan this year officially becomes a super-aged society, health experts said.
A super-aged society is defined as when an aging population makes up 20 percent of the whole.
Citing Ministry of Health and Welfare statistics, Health Promotion Administration (HPA) Deputy Director-General Wei Hsi-lun (魏璽倫) said on Tuesday that one out of six elderly people have slipped and fallen, while one out of 12 have sought medical treatment for such issues.
Photo: Lin Liang-che, Taipei Times
Taiwan Restorative Care Promotion Association director and occupational therapist Cheng Meng-hsiu (鍾孟修) offered four suggestions to prevent falls.
There are internal and external factors causing elderly people to be more prone to falling, Chung said.
Internal reasons include body functions regressing, chronic diseases, changes to cognitive functions or the patient’s nervous systems, the patient being affected by medication, or the mental state of fear of falling, he said.
Chung added that external factors include the environment, inadequate support equipment, wearing unsuitable shoes and weather.
Actions to help prevent falling should focus on improving vision, hearing, mobility and nutrition, Chung said.
Using visual aids, such as glasses with proper correction, using magnification lenses to help people better identify possible obstacles and improved lighting in the house would help improve vision, he said.
Annual check-ups should be the norm, and if necessary, glasses should be changed to have proper visual corrections, Chung said.
People who are hard of hearing should use hearing aids, as it makes them more alert and delays regression of cognitive functions, he said, adding that environmental sounds within the home should be reduced and safety reminders installed.
Elderly people are encouraged to exercise regularly to maintain muscle mass and their sense of balance, as such acts help them maintain proper pacing and reduce the risk of falling, he said.
Chung suggested placing anti-slip mats and handlebars where elderly people frequent, adding that homes should remove clutter to ensure a safer walking environment.
Nutritionally, elderly people should mind their hydration levels and have a protein-rich diet, while ensuring they keep up on calcium and vitamin D supplements, he said.
A balanced diet and adequate exposure to sunlight would ensure that people have sufficient calcium, protein and vitamin D sources, Chung added.
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