The number of falls in women aged 75-79 is 47% higher than in men, says WHO
A fall in the elderly can cause serious injuries and even death, as in the case of the singer Agnaldo Rayol passed away on Monday 4th, at the age of 86, after suffering a fall in the bathroom. A similar episode was experienced by the president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), who also fell in the bathroom, suffering a cut on the back of his head and a head injury. This type of accident, however, is more frequent among older women.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2019 the rate of falls among elderly women per one hundred thousand inhabitants was higher than among men. In the 75 to 79 age group, the rate of falls in women aged 75 to 79 is 47% higher than in men. The reasons are linked to this generation’s lifestyle, household chores and even menopause.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, the retiree Maria Rosa77 years old, he was walking in the pine district when he tripped over a hole in the pavement and fell, fracturing his nose and his left arm in two places: the wrist and the elbow.
He has already suffered five falls after reaching old age, all on the street. Even with a hectic life that goes from the gym to swimming, he knows that the greatest number of accidents happen at home and he prevents himself whenever he can by wearing sneakers: “My house is full of carpets, sometimes I stumble, but I don’t fall never.”
Falls have two factors: extrinsic and intrinsic. The first is external factors; such as slipping on carpets, bumping into low furniture and even tripping over pets. But especially when wearing shoes with heel clips, such as flats, heels and pumps, it is best to wear sneakers.
“Other extrinsic factors are in the environment, such as lighting or the use of sedative drugs such as diazepam and bromazepam,” adds the Doctor Filippo Vecchidirector of Brazil Senior Living (BSL).
Many women over 65 spend a lot of time on household chores and this increases the chances of falls due to external factors. According to a survey conducted by the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro among 392 grandparents in the region, 58.7% said they take care of their grandchildren so their parents can work. Of this group, 87% are women.
Intrinsic factors are related to the internal part of the body, such as menopause, which accelerates cellular aging and increases the chances of osteoporosis, bone loss, which makes bones weaker. The muscle composition also changes, that is, the muscles decrease and the amount of fat increases, leaving the person with greater weakness.
Furthermore, women live longer than men. According to data from IBGE In 2022, their life expectancy will be 79 years, while for them it will be 72. Dr. Felipe warns that among those over 65 there is a fear of counting when they fall, for fear that the family will not let them go out alone . But he stresses that it is important to undergo medical monitoring to prevent future falls.
What to do in case of a fall?
In the event of an accident involving an elderly person, the closest person should call the emergency services, assess where the pain is and not attempt to lift them. One of the main consequences of a fall is the fracture of the femur, the largest bone in our body, located between the thigh and the hip. “Our first reflex is to want to lift (the elderly person), sometimes he falls and has hip pain, the immobilization must be carried out by a specialist,” explains Felipe.
When an elderly person hits his head, transport to hospital is necessary, even if he is lucid. After shock, discomfort may occur after six to twelve hours. This happens because as we age the brain tends to shrink and there is a larger space up to the skull; “Older people’s brains are a little freer inside their heads.”
To prevent falls, the Ministry of Health recommends that older people and healthcare workers pay attention to:
- Slippery floor;
- Loose carpets;
- Objects in circulation areas;
- Absence of support bars and handrails;
- Unstable or very low furniture;
- Inadequate lighting;
- Bathrooms without grab bars;
- Canes or walkers with damaged tips.
- On the street, the following recommendations:
- Be careful when crossing the road, look in both directions and only cross when cars stop;
- Use small bags, avoiding heavy weights;
- Pay more attention to unfamiliar or dimly lit places;
- Pay attention to holes and irregularities;
- Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before getting on;
- And if necessary, use canes, crutches and support tools.
Source: Terra
Ashley Fitzgerald is a journalist and author at Gossipify, known for her coverage of famous people and their lives. She writes about a wide range of topics, including celebrities, influencers, social media stars, and public figures. Her articles are known for their in-depth analysis and unique perspective. She is respected for her ability to keep readers up to date with the latest news and trends of the famous people.
