Different types of fall risk factors

Written By Cassandra Medina

Below is an important excerpt from Page 3 of the CDC’s Preventing Falls PDF:

“One out of ten falls causes a serious injury, (hip fracture, head injury, etc), which requires hospitalization. Home or environmental risk factors play a role in about half of falls (Bergen et al., 2008). Usually 2 or more risk factors interact for a fall to happen. Some different types of risk factors you may not be aware of are below:

Biological risk factors

  • Muscle weakness/balance problems

  • Medication side effects and/or interactions

  • Chronic health conditions such as arthritis and stroke

  • Vision changes and vision loss

  • Loss of sensation in feet

Behavioral risk factors

  • Inactivity

  • Risky behaviors such as standing on a chair in place of a step stool, standing on very top of a ladder

  • Alcohol use

Environmental risk factors

  • Clutter and tripping hazards

  • Poor lighting

  • Lack of stair railings

  • Lack of grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower

  • Poorly designed public spaces”

PDF: https://www.cdc.gov/falls/pdf/FallPreventionGuide-2015-a.pdf

Cassandra Medina
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