Are alcohol and falls associated among older people? This is an important question. Falls are a major health problem for the elderly. For example, 95% of hip fractures result from falls. And a broken hip leads to a downward spiral to death about half the time it occurs.

Preventing falls among senior citizens is a major public health concern.

I. Alcohol and Falls

To see if alcohol and falls are connected, researchers studied 2,170 community-dwelling persons age 60 or older. At the beginning of the study, participants reported their alcohol consumption. At the end of about three years, they reported any falls within the previous year.

Researchers compared moderate drinkers with life-long alcohol abstainers. Those who drank in moderation were 21% less likely to fall. They were 33% less likely to have a fall needing medical help. And they were 42% less likely to have two or more falls.¹

Abstaining from alcohol appears to be a risk factor for falls among older adults. We can reduce that risk by drinking in moderation.

Fast Falling Facts

• • Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury among older people..
  • Falling is the most common cause of nonfatal accidents leading to hospital admissions among the elderly..

II. Risk of Falls

Some general risk factors for falling are being older, being female, and having a history of falling.

Many diseases and conditions also contribute to fall risk. These include

• • Balance disorders
  • Cognitive impairments
  • Knee pain
  • Lower back pain
  • Low blood pressure
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Stroke
  • Vertebral fracture.
  • Visual impairments.

Many meds increase the risk of falls. They can do so either alone or in combination. They include

• • Anti-arrhythmics
  • Antidepressants
  • Anti-hypertensives
  • Anti-seizure meds
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Diuretics
  • Sedative-hypnotics.

III. Resources on Falls

Videos

• •  Preventing Falls.
  • 6 Steps to Prevent a Fall Video.
  • Falls Prevention.
  • Slips, Trips and Falls.
  • You Have the Power to Prevent a Fall

Web Pages

• • Alcohol Reduces Risk of Frailty.
  • Find an Evidence Based Personal Falls Prevention Program in Your Area.
  • Alcohol Drinking and Falls Requiring Hospitalization.

Readings

• • Evans, B. Accidental Falls. NY: Nova.
  • Fredrikson, E. How to Avoid Falling. Richmond Hill, Ont.: Firefly.
  • Haslam, R. and Stubbs, D. Understanding and Preventing Falls. Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis.
  • Kendzior, R. Falls Aren’t Funny. Lanham, MD: Gov’t Inst.
  • Lord, S. Falls in Older People: Risk Factors and Strategies for Prevention. NY: Cambridge U. Press.
  • Vincent, M. and Moreau, T. Accidental Falls: Causes, Prevention and Intervention. NY: Nova.
  • WHO. Global Report on Falls Prevention in Older Age. Geneva: WHO.

Footnote

1. Ortolá, R., et al. Patterns of alcohol consumption and risk of falls in older adults: a prospective cohort study.  Ost Int. 2017, First Online.

Note

This site gives no advice. Please see a doctor for that.