3 ways to minimize your risk of falling like Pelosi and McConnell.

When my family moved to New Hampshire for my freshman year of high school, Dr. C. Everett Cope, President Ronald Reagan's Surgeon General, became my neighbor.

As an aspiring doctor, I spent every possible moment seeking him out and soaking up his wisdom. He shared many lessons, but I never forgot one lesson he always emphasized. That means if you want to enjoy a long and healthy life to the fullest, you shouldn't fall, especially as you get older.

At the time, I found his frequent comments about not falling a bit strange, but as an orthopedic surgeon in his final year of training, I now fully understand Dr. Cope's point. In fact, in our hospital emergency departments, we see situations every day where an elderly person falls and her life and that of her loved ones are changed forever. This is surprisingly common, and we recently witnessed two elderly senators, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Mitch McConnell, fall and the former speaker reportedly sustain a hip fracture.

Each year, one in four Americans over the age of 65 falls, leading to millions of emergency room visits and one million fall-related hospitalizations. Among older adults, falls cause hundreds of thousands of hip fractures each year and are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury. Most strikingly, falls are the leading cause of injury-related death in this population. And is there a price tag on the health care system for falls in the elderly? 50 billion dollars.

Sen. McConnell reportedly fell during the Republican lunch but survived.

However, falls are often preventable. There are three steps you can take to reduce your risk of falls and at the same time continue to lead an active and fulfilling lifestyle.

Focus on healthy lifestyle choices

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle has many positive side effects, including reducing the risk of falls. Staying physically active is very important for general health, good mental health, and a better quality of life. An exercise program started after consultation with your doctor can improve your agility, strength, balance, and coordination.

Additionally, eating a balanced diet of healthy, high-quality foods that provide adequate dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D is central to good health, including bone health, and may be associated with femoral neck fractures. Helps reduce risk. you fall Smoking should be avoided and alcohol should be kept to a minimum.

Older people who experience this type of injury may be at higher risk of dementia, study finds

It is also very important for older patients to have regular physical and eye exams with their doctor and health care team. Not only does this provide an opportunity for people to share their health concerns, but it also allows doctors to spot potential health problems as early as possible. It also provides an opportunity to proactively manage your bone health, including testing for and treating bone loss, weakness, and fragility that commonly occurs with aging (i.e., osteopenia and osteoporosis). .

Additionally, many medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) have common side effects, such as dizziness and confusion, which can lead to falls, so it's important to review your medication list with your healthcare team. is. This also includes supplements that are often overlooked but can cause harmful side effects.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi is interviewed on 92NY in New York City on October 24, 2024. (John Lamparski/Getty Images)

Use safe shoes

Wearing appropriate footwear is essential for older adults to reduce the risk of falls. Footwear must fit properly and have non-slip soles. This includes not only shoes and sneakers, but also slippers and socks. A lack of “grip” in the soles can lead to unnecessary falls, especially on hardwood or other slippery areas. If your footwear has laces, always tie them short enough to avoid tripping. You can also use Velcro closures. This is very helpful as it makes it much easier to put on and secure your footwear. As women age, they should consider avoiding high heels, which can affect gait and balance. The use of a shoehorn is also beneficial and will help you put on the right shoes.

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remodel the house

Most falls for older Americans occur at home, but we often overlook simple home modifications that can improve safety and reduce the risk of falls. It's important to make sure walking areas around your home are well-lit, including using a night light at night, for example if you need to go to the bathroom. Clutter and electrical cords should be removed from frequently used walkways and properly stored or placed along walls. Additionally, something as simple as a lap blanket can lead to unnecessary falls for seniors. They often get caught on edges and should be removed if possible.

Additional physical support to assist with activities of daily living also improves safety and can be very helpful. For example, handrails on both sides of stairs, non-slip mats in showers and baths, handrails next to toilets, and shower chairs can all help prevent falls when used.

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Prevention is the best medicine

While Sen. McConnell was lucky not to suffer serious complications from his recent fall at the Capitol, former Speaker Pelosi may not have been so lucky. If the reports are accurate, her injuries will almost certainly require surgery, which would address concerns of pain and allow the patient to get out of bed as soon as possible, preventing pneumonia and bed rest such as bed rest. It is often done within 1-2 days to avoid complications. Wounds, blood clots, urinary tract infections. However, recovery after hip fracture surgery often requires extensive physical therapy, which can lead to decreased independence and functional status. Importantly, even for Sen. McConnell, falling even once can lead to greater hesitation in everyday life and increased anxiety that it may happen again.

Falls often have a serious impact on older people. It can cause injuries that alter your independence, activity level, and functional status, and can even lead to death.

In reality, there is growing concern that as the population ages, the number of falls among older Americans will also increase. Fortunately, many falls are preventable if you proactively take the necessary steps to reduce your risk. As is often the case, prevention is the best medicine.

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The opinions, thoughts, and ideas expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not necessarily those of the author's employer or organization.