Falling down is no small matter: how to prevent fractures of older persons?

The fall is one of the main causes of fractures among older persons, especially for osteoporosis patients, who can easily cause fractures. As age increases, the bone density of older persons is declining, muscle power is reduced, the perception of balance is poor and the risk of falling is significantly increased. In order to prevent fractures among older persons, the safety of the family environment is crucial, avoiding wet ground, loose carpets and high and low places. At the same time, the encouragement of appropriate sports for older persons, such as walking, Tai Chi, etc., helps to strengthen muscles and maintain a sense of balance. Regular examination of bone density and calcification and vitamin D supplementation are also important measures to prevent fractures.First, safe adaptation of the family environment is key to preventing the fall and fracture of older persons. The living space of older persons should minimize barriers and keep the ground dry and smooth. In areas where water is easy to accumulate, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and so forth, ski pads or tiles are used to ensure that the ground is not slippery. In addition, furniture should be placed in such a way as to avoid overcrowding and to allow sufficient space for older persons to walk, especially in key areas such as bedside, bathrooms, and should be equipped with arms or grabsticks so that older persons can stabilize their bodies when they wake up or in the toilet and reduce the risk of falling.Secondly, the day-to-day activities of older persons should focus on balance and force training. Appropriate exercise not only enhances muscle strength, but also improves body coordination and balance, thus reducing the likelihood of falling. The recommended sports for older persons include walking, Tai Chi, yoga and water exercise. These campaigns have a relatively small impact on the joints, while at the same time effectively increasing body flexibility and stability. These activities should be carried out with family or nursing staff to ensure safety.In addition to environmental and physical prevention measures, the dietary and nutritional intake of older persons is important. Osteoporosis is one of the main causes of fractures among older persons, and therefore ensuring adequate calcium and vitamin D intake is key to preventing osteoporosis. Older persons should ingestion sufficient calcium, such as milk, cheese and tofu, through food or supplements. At the same time, vitamin D contributes to calcium absorption, and older persons should be tanned or receive vitamin D supplements under the supervision of a doctor.Regular health checks are also an important part of preventing fractures among older persons. Older persons should regularly visit hospitals to conduct bone density tests to learn about their bone state. When osteoporosis is detected, appropriate treatments, such as medication, physiotherapy, etc., should be taken under the direction of a doctor. In addition, older persons should be regularly screened for vision, which is an important factor in falling.In addition to these measures, older persons should learn how to respond to a fall. For example, when it feels that the body is unbalanced, every effort should be made to support the body with the hand or elbow and to avoid the direct use of the head on the ground. After a fall, a calm and slow attempt should be made to move parts of the body, to check for pain or discomfort and, if so, to seek immediate medical assistance.Finally, family members and caregivers should give older persons more attention and help. Older persons may encounter difficulties in their daily lives, and families should listen to their needs patiently and help them to solve practical problems. At the same time, older persons are encouraged to remain positive and optimistic, engage in social activities and avoid isolation and depression, all of which contribute to improving their quality of life and reducing the risk of falling and fractures.In sum, the prevention of fractures among older persons requires a combination of environmental, physical, nutritional, medical and psychological factors. By working together, families and societies to create a safe and healthy living environment for older persons, they can effectively reduce the risk of falling and fractures and provide them with a more happy and healthy old age.