Accidents and advancing age.

Sorry I should clarify, has anyone else heard about the link between accidents/falls and increased mortality and frailty? Not sure if the accidents and falls lead to increased frailty or if increased frailty leads to more accidents. I’m worried because the change in my friend has been quite dramatic over the last year.

A bit of both maybe? I'm not an expert but I think, as we get older, our balance centres aren't quite as good, which can lead to less steadiness and more falls. Is your friend having balance issues?

Possibly yes chocolatepeanuts. Also they had a pace maker fitted a couple of years ago, don’t know the relevance but it feels like it may be.

I heard on Radio 4 recently that the reduction of oestrogen, post menopause, affects the balance and increases the likelihood of falls. I believe the programme was Sliced Bread and the subject of the investigation was Menopause Supplements (aired on 22 May). I could be mistaken about the program, but that information came from an expert on hormones. I hadn't ever thought that oestrogen could be responsible for so much more than just reproduction. Which is why that snippet stuck in my brain.

Falls bring an increased risk of fractures. If your friend is also experiencing dizziness or lightheadedness if could be caused by a mineral deficiency or something else easily diagnosed and treated. She should see her GP, you are right to be concerned.

Thanks NanaRayna and Blossoming. I’ll check out the programme on BBC Sounds and I think the mineral deficiency is a possibility because another thing is my friend has recently been eating less.

Blossoming

Falls bring an increased risk of fractures. If your friend is also experiencing dizziness or lightheadedness if could be caused by a mineral deficiency or something else easily diagnosed and treated. She should see her GP, you are right to be concerned.

Is there a specific mineral deficiency it could be?

My sister-in-law is 87, lives with her daughter and has had a series of falls recently, it has become such a problem that my niece is reluctant to leave the house in case her mother falls. She has had blood tests and there were no deficiencies. My oldest friend also started having falls about 18 months ago and sadly died at the end of April. It sadly seems to be part of the ageing process for some people.

Jane43 it’s the rapid change from a very active person which shocks and scares me.

Wold your friend consider having a pendant alarm?

Thanks CocoPops- I’ve thought of this but at the moment I don’t think they would. I think they are in denial about what may be happening.

As we get seriously old (80+) many people get less active, take less exercise and their muscle tone deteriorates, and this lead to frailty - and frailty leads to falls so people get less active and take less exercise and their mscle tone deteriorates........................

Re the balance thing.
For some years I’ve been doing the balancing on one leg while cleaning my teeth.

I've had a few falls but I've now got a 'stroller' which gives me confidence - and shopping space. Highly recommend products that keep you upright

To clarify, how many friends are you talking about or are 'they' transgender?

Shortbreadandkilts

Possibly yes chocolatepeanuts. Also they had a pace maker fitted a couple of years ago, don’t know the relevance but it feels like it may be.

If your friend is also on heart medications, dizziness/lightheadedness can be a side effect.

I go to a class where we do exercises to help with balance. There are exercises too on line which may help your friend.
I feel its worth trying.

How is your friend’s eyesight? Do they have regular checks at the optician, it could be cataracts, or another sight issue.

When I had fallen a few more times than seemed 'normal', I went to my GP who carried out several tests and said there was nothing neurologically implicated that he could find, but made an appointment for me at the 'Falls Clinic' in our local hospital. The consultant there also reassured me that there was no physical reason. I concluded that it was largely my own carelessness that caused these tumbles, one of which involved a lot of blood on the pavement and four stitches in my eyebrow. My sons admonished me 'Mum, look where you're going', which I always try to do.
I'd advise your friend to visit her GP for both reassurance and advice.
P:lease remember that we don't 'have falls'... we FALL!

I lost my agility about 5 yrs ago and I’m much more risk averse than I used to be, I dont use ladders and look where I’m putting my feet.

It’s a consequence of getting older, reactions are slower eyesight and balance are not what they used to be. Like most. men I learned the hard way but no serious damage done, I take a lot less risks now.

I don’t have any medical knowledge other than my own experience chocolatepeanuts but I do know that dehydration, sodium and potassium deficiency can all contribute to lightheadedness, which can lead to falls. A full blood count will throw up any problems and steps can be taken to resolve them.

There can be some quite straight forward, correctable explanation why older people start dropping things,, tripping, stumbling, walking into things. Changes in sight and hearing.

The eyes and ears are constantly relaying vital info about distance, spatial awareness, balance, proximity to risks etc. In later life , both eyesight and hearing can decline so gradually that the person might barely notice .

You might check that your friends are up to date with eye and hearing tests in case impairment of one or both is the root cause of their accidents.

They don't need a GP referral to get eye and hearing tests. Both are FREE to people over 60, funded by the NHS, available at Boots and other High St businesses. Just make an appointment.

I have dyspraxia, which comes under the heading 'neural diversity' It was diagnosed 40 years ago, so tripping over anything or nothing and falling flat on my face has always been part of my life.

Many years ago, I taught myself how to relax into falls, so that I do not do myself any damage. I also do Tai Chi and other exercises to keep myself strong and as balanced as possible.

Where I am you can self refer to physio and they will give you exercises to improve balance and reduce falls. I slipped on a step and saw the physio about the pain but got the balanced exercises whilst being seen.