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Falls are always a risk for elderly nursing home and assisted living residents. One concern is the risk of broken bones, which in the elderly can be a death sentence. In fact, across the country unintentional falls in the elderly result in 16,000 deaths and 1.8 million ER visits every year.
Research shows that seniors may be falling because they have high blood pressure, which can alter blood flow to the brain. This altered blood flow can make it difficult for them to balance and walk properly – which can contribute to a fall.
A recent study pointed out that at age 60 the majority of seniors (85 percent) are able to walk normally, but by age 85 only 18 percent of seniors have a normal walking ability. The researchers in the study wanted to know why.
They found that individuals with the slowest rate of blood flow changes in their brain – as measured by a brain blood flow response test – were the most likely to experience an accidental fall. Those with the best brain blood flow numbers were far less likely to fall – 20 percent versus 70 percent.
How does this research benefit Virginia seniors? If high blood pressure is affecting elderly residents’ brains to the point that they have a higher risk of falling, then researchers speculate that by controlling blood pressure better seniors will be less likely to fall.
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