Understand the medical conditions that can increase your risk of falling. Learn about the key factors that contribute to fall risk and discover strategies for managing these conditions to improve safety and prevent accidents.

Fall Prevention Strategies

As we age, we naturally become weaker, our sight begins to deteriorate and our reaction time decreases, leading to an increased risk of falling. With a third of all adults, aged 65 and over, taking a fall each year we should look at some underlying health conditions that could further increase the risk of a fatal fall.

Visual Impairment

Diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma and anisometropia decrease a person's vision including depth perception and visual accuracy. Issues may arise when a person fails to navigate themselves around their own home and tend to bump into things they never used to.

Cardiovascular Diseases

Elderly who also have an underlying cardiovascular disorder such as Cardiac arrhythmias, postural hypotention or heart disease greatly increase their chances of falling. Some cardiovascular diseases (like the ones named above) change the rhythm of the heart causing light headiness and dizziness which then affects walking and balance. In severe cases the unusual blood flow can potentially lead to loss of consciousness.

Neuropathy

The cause of neuropathy has been linked to several health conditions from kidney failure, diabetes and shingles. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, weakness and burning pains. The symptoms of neuropathy may cause issues with walking or balance which further increases their chances of falling significantly.

Head Protection for Those at Risk of Falling

A fall can occur at any given time, within the home and outside. It is essential to protect those who have an increase risk of falling to reduce the chances of a brain injury, one that could have been prevented with head protection.

Introducing Ribcap

Ribcap's non stigmatizing medical helmets offer complete 360 protection while looking and feeling like a regular hat! Choose from baseball caps, beanies and all in a range of fashionable colours.

To see if you or your loved one requires a medical helmet, check our extensive guide to medical helmets.