2 Surprising Problems that Cause Falls in Ages 65+
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 มิ.ย. 2024
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In this episode, Farnham's leading over-50's physiotherapist, Will Harlow, reveals two surprising problems that cause falls in people over age 65!
Study mentioned in the video can be found here: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34004...
If you're suffering from nagging knee pain that hurts in the morning and stops you from walking as far as you'd like, you can take our free knee pain guide - which will give you 5 expert tips to put a stop to knee pain at home - by visiting here: ht-physio.co.uk/knee-pain-gui...
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*Any information in this video should not be used as a substitute for individual medical advice. Please seek advice from your local healthcare professional before taking action on the information in this video.* Full policy here: ht-physio.co.uk/injury-discla...
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I did some extensive research into falling and found many falls happened after leaving Pubs.
How true.
My laugh for the day, Thank You!
😂 Good one 👍
😂
Oh really
At 80 and after having two falls, I remember to think heel, toe, lift while out walking. Love, love, love your videos. Thanks. I have learned so much!!
Great work! I'm sorry to hear about your falls, but I hope the tips help to prevent any further incidents - I'm so pleased my videos have helped!
Thanks a lot. Now I can start doing that.
Good onya mate😉
Iam 90 and have only fallen over 3 or 4 timer in my life
Just watched your video on mobilising the big toe . I have advanced arthritis in my big toe I do keep triping now I know why but it's very stiff can you advice me on something else?
Here’s another reason older people fall over - varifocal specs! I love my varifocals but have to take them off when I’m out walking over uneven ground. They can easily lead to misjudging stairs or kerbs and cause tripping.
I'm 71 years old and have been wearing varifocals for years without any problem.
Agree. A particular time of risk is when you have just come back from the opticians with glasses to a new prescription. It takes time to adjust. If the boundary between the zones of close-up and distance focus have changed I find it particularly tricky.
I borrowed my sister's varifocals the other day to read a menu and found them hard work.
After getting bifocals, I fell 4 times in 6 months. Never had falls before that. Stopped wearing them and haven't fallen since.
@@ianstobie Yup. My first pair (at age 40ish) nearly caused me to fall off my bicycle. Fine now, and indeed when I do not have specs on and am reading print find myself tilting my head back slightly to bring the print into the lower part of the lens (which is actually parked on top of my head...).
When you are younger you take walking for granted.As you get older you you cant do that,you have to remember to walk properly.Your balance is off,so you have to take walking seriously.At 64 I like your videos
Exercise will counteract walking problems in older people.
I was a paramedic in my younger days. Most elderly fall while just getting up from a chair, bed, usually from a sudden equilibrium dizzy spell making a turn in direction. Also cats and dogs can get under or behind peoples legs while their standing. There’s many other ways such a threshold doorway, going up or down stairs, even going down handicap ramps. Changes in floor surfaces can cause a trip too. But going out on medical calls the first two is what I see and being told by elderly. I’m 65 now and I got to watch myself now.
Falls have been exacerbated by increase of many chronic incurable diseases n their subsequent impact to the brain n ENT function,... resulting in balance problems, dizziness,impared sight etc,...not forgetting disease impact of entire body muscle weakness n fragile skeleton,... exercise is good but long term is useless without credible cure therapies n eventual healing....!!
My case exactly. It was all fine until the cancer and chemotherapy... and now each getting up becomes a carefully planned exercise. I can easily walk two or three hours at normal human pace, but getting up without solid support is quite scary.
@@jmi5969I took care of my mom until she passed. She had minor falls in her home, and I knew it was time for her to move in with me.
Mom had diabetes, high blood pressure, and had had several mini-strokes over the years.
In talking to her about how she felt and watching her, I realized these things:
- Neuropathy due to diabetes. She told me she had trouble walking because she couldn't feel as much (as non-diabetics). The mechanics of walking became more difficult for her because she couldn't feel if her feet were planted firmly on the floor when she walked.
- Low BP. Mom was on a BP med. She did have high BP, but her med dosage was too high. I noticed she didn't lift her feet much when she walked, so she literally was tripping over her own feet. This really concerned me because I had stairs in my house. Also, she told me she got dizzy if she got out of bed or a chair too quickly.
After getting a new dr in my town when she moved in with me, I told the Dr of my concerns. Mom kept a log of her daily BP readings (at her former drs instruction). Upon seeing her BP numbers, the new Dr felt her BP was consistently too low. He adjusted her BP med and that helped. She told me she didn't feel as "tired" as before.
- Not being hydrated. Mom was not a big water drinker. When her dr asked about drinking water, she responded that she did. But he did not clarify to her how much water meant "plenty of water" to him.
He did not know, nor did I- until later- that Mom's idea of "drinking plenty of water" was to take two sips when she took her meds.
I realized later (after she passed) that she was probably dehydrated most of the time.
Dehydration causes one to feel very tired, with "fuzzy" brain fog, and can lead to urinary tract infections (she had several). I didn't know this at the time. After her passing, I read an article about dehydration. It hit me that Mom probably felt very tired due to dehydration, as well as the low BP. I felt guilty about not watching Mom's hydration and encouraging her to drink more water. But, I just didn't know at the time she was under my care in my home.
I think there are many reasons why elderly people fall. But, in my Mom's case, all the reasons fell into the category of her health issues, not a pet being under foot, type of flooring or shoes.
- Strokes. Mom had several min-strokes over the years. She seemed to recover from them. But she had lingering effects. Although there were no easily noticeable signs like slurring words or droopy mouth, Mom had lingering balance issues. She told me she still felt weak and lost her balance easily- not as bad as right after the stroke. But she felt she still had balance problems after the stroke that didn't entirely go away.
I wish you well in your recovery from cancer and the toll cancer treatments take.
As a cancer survivor, I understand the assault your body goes through with the treatments. It takes a while to get "back to normal", or to get to a "new normal".
Take care of yourself and best of luck with your recovery.
Me too 😅
My mother tripped over her dog's leash. She was at the top of a flight of stairs.
You can get a lot if exercise time in waiting in line at the store. Just don't lean over to grab a candy bar for balance. 😂
Great tip!
Yes... good advice...I do toe raises and practice shifting weight from foot to foot and on different parks of the feet...and now ignore the candy bars too!
It won't help people like me. All shopping is online, only exercise is opening front door and bringing items indoors
Exercise of choice is gardening, also walking my Bull Mastiff...
Fell in my kitchen while rushing to stove, tripped on vacumn cleaner cord. Broken hip. Now fixed. Almost the same. Treating my osteoporsis. Excercising.
How r u treating osteoporosis
I’m so sorry
Living in a high-rise, I walk down the stairs, but, when I take the elevator up, I do heel raises if no one else is in the elevator.
Great work!
Weak calves! Loss of Big Toe extension! Thanks for this today🙏🏻☀️
Happy to help!
Nearly 70 and I have noticed my calves atrophying, and my right big toe has gotten very stiff over the past year. I walk two border collies and a standard poodle around 5 miles every day. Shoes/boots with laces make my toe hurt worse. I haven't had a falling problem, but I will start on these exercises to avoid a future fall. THANK YOU for this video!
You might also think about using Vibram Fivefingers shoes. That's what I wear, and they keep me strong and flexible.
You may want to see a neurologist.
I find this very interesting. I just hit the 65+ mark and for the past couple of years I have found myself a bit “light on my feet” as this guy explains it. When having this conversation with my doctor, the doc recommended physical therapy. I thought the doc was nuts and couldn’t believe how physical therapy was going to fix my light headedness. After watching this video, it all makes sense. I am going to revisit this idea and try these exercises.
I have had some falls in the last couple of years (without tripping over anything in particular),
One part of this is that I need to be able to bend my feet the way as you demonstrate in the video.
I am going to start applying this ASAP.
Thanks so much!
I hope it proves beneficial to prevent further falls for you - wishing you all the best :)
Big toe extension ! I'm 64 , work in health care and walk to and from work daily ( about 70 minutes daily ) I also spend hours on my feet at work . I have a congenital deformity of my big toes . Now I understand why I have been tripping up a bit over the last few years . Thank You so much for this advice . ❤
I’m 73, live in Mexico and love your videos. Thank you very much.
Very happy to be of service!
Same here (65, 44 here)!! Saludos! 🤗🇲🇽
I learn something every time I watch your videos. So very helpful! Thank you.
It's great to hear you find them so informative, thank you!
I have always been a klutz. I thought it was because I did not lift my legs enough when I walked, so I often tripped on things. Thank you for your exercises. I will try them.
Thanks for pointing this out. I'm 75 but thankfully I walk and bicycle A LOT.
I walk fast, around 6 km/hr (4 miles per hr). In the winter months I walk for twenty five minutes at least 3 times per week (so close to one and a half miles) and an hour once or twice a week (around 4 miles). So my calf muscles and my 'big toe extensions' are just fine.
In the summer I generally do three fast 25 min walks a week plus two bike rides of around 30 km per week (20 miles). Takes me around one and a half hours per ride.
My one issue is I don't do NEARLY enough upper body exercise. Cycling is pretty good for that, surprisingly. But I do little during the winter months.
I have weights, but I rarely get round to using them. So I really feel it when I start cleaning up the garden and pond in the spring.
An unexpected benefit occurred after starting a ketogenic diet and eliminating all vegetable oils 20 months ago was the remission of arthritis. Another surprise was my eye floaters had disappeared. Food for thought
Did you exclude olive oil, also?
Absolute rubbish. Seriously, information like this is potentially harmful, if anyone falls for such STUPID misinformation, and reported as such.
@@Bearwithme560 What are you referring to? I went to your site and there is absolutely nothing on it! I'm taking you for a troll unless you prove otherwise.
@@patriciathomas7549 not initially just grain based oils, however I have eliminated all plant based foods due to lipid mimicry which can be taken into cells but degrade function. Hope this helps
@@patriciathomas7549 appears the admins deleted my previous reply to you… to answer your question. Yes, I exclude any plant oils now although initially, I did not and used avocado or olive oil and then learned about lipid mimicry from plant oils, Which renders animal cells functions inert.
That is why I climb and hike hills and mountains. My bones and muscles stay strong.
Fortunately at 64, I've been active all my life and built my strength from about 18 to 40 in the gym. I keep active by walking at least an hour everyday along our local coast paths which are very hilly.
The only time I've fallen over is a large amount of rum. But then that has nothing to do with age. Fortunately, the last time was a steep bank at a campsite on the side of a hill. Luckily, I didn't spill a drop.
🤣🤣 😝 🤣🤣
Lol
😂
Wow thanks dude, needed that.
To be honest, I have always had a tendency to fall because I don't pay attention to what I'm doing. But I never get hurt falling. Because getting hurt is what you call a negative reinforcement, and I learned not to do that. But I am reluctant to let a Dr. know that I have ever fallen in my life, because they make such a fuss about it.
If your bones get thinner, you will be at higher risks of fractures...and you can also start to fall in awkward ways and bruse and even get concussions....please get on program to reduce the risk of falling...u will gain wisdom, awareness and strength, not negative reinforcement
My mother died from a fall. She was 80. High blood pressure medications can cause an instant, catastrophic drop in blood pressure if an older person on them rises too quickly from a prone position. That is what happened to my mother. She blacked out, fell backwards, hit her head, and got a 100% fatal traumatic brain injury called a herniation. She died twenty one hours later.
The fact that you have fallen is NOT a matter to be sloughed off. I'm 72, and four years ago, was on crutches for most of the year, 2020. I had some spectacular falls, the kind you expect to see only from stuntmen in movies. I do believe that it was the kindness of God which kept me from severe injury.
Do not slough this off.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE TIPS TO KEEP US
UP ON OUR FEET AND
WALKING! ☺️🇺🇸♥️🍀🎉🎉🎉
Very pleased to be able to help!
Thanks to your previous video about dorsiflection (and a lot of thinking about what caused me to fall and break my shoulder in 2023), I literally chant "dorsi-----flexion" mentally as I walk home from PT - "dorsi" for my right foot step, "flexion" for my left. I bought excellent shoes that provide good support, and they enable me to feel the contact of my feet with the ground all the way through my steps. I realized that I have to reprogram how I sit, stand and move to be safe and well. I never had to think about any of that. Walking just happened well automatically. Little by little as the decades passed I bent my knees a little less, lifted my feet a little less high and flexed my feet less. The deficits weren't dramatic, but they were enough to bring me down and, unfortunately, to an operating room last month. Your teaching helps me a lot. Thank you.
I’m in the hospital now from a massive fall - a lot of damage. I have no calves and no range of toe motion. If I had seen this video before, I would have done the exercises and maybe avoid the situation I’m in now.
Thank you. It’s usually the most basic and most simple that are the most helpful. Tai Chi fall prevention classes have been a real blessing and eye opener.
I'm new to your channel and have just subscribed. I can't tell you how timely this video is for me. I'm 66 and in decent shape but trying to 'future proof' my mobility. Thank you for your expertise!
I'm 70 and I've fallen a few times (but not injured). In my case, I lost my footing near the bottom of my carpeted stairs due to my bi-focal glasses tricking my eyes. To avoid that, I make myself slow down and be more deliberate with where I'm focusing my eyes and placing my feet.
Hi Greg, yes, and I keep doing my strengthening exercises because apparently that really help you to fall less.
I just want to take a minute out to thank you for your work and for helping all of us older folks. I can't tell you how much of a difference you've made. Good on you.
Will Harlow you are this Canadian gals dream, listen to you every day have done most of your videos and enjoy them very much have really helped me a lot thank you from the bottom of this almost 76 year old heart
1 Canadian gal
So pleased my work has been so helpful, well done for all the work you've put in! Wishing you all the best and keep it up :)
I learn so much from your videos I am glad to have discovered your channel. Thank you so much. God bless you.❤❤
I'm pleased you discovered my channel too - I'm pleased my videos have been helpful!
My husband is 77 and has had many falls.
My advice to others who fall…….if your therapist gives you exercises for balance, do them. Do not ignore them. If you tell your doctor you can walk two miles……one time only does not count. When I am vacuuming, stay away from the vacuum. You know you do not have good balance and may fall. If there is an animal, trash, a blanket, a package or anything else in your path, go around or go another way. Do not take chances!!!
Yes, we have a rule in our house to never leave something on the floor or out of place. We are also lucky to have a dog that will pee on anything left on the floor so that is extra incentive to keep the floor empty.
I’m 81 and have only fallen once in the past 5 years. (Tripped over a box I was packing). I had a friend (87) who insisted on wearing old sandals, she fell & broke both femurs. She never recovered. I wear substantial shoes and pay attention to my surroundings. Also, I see so many older people shuffle when the walk.
I'm 72 and these tips hopefully will help me avoid falls in the future.
I should also point to 2 other problems with walking that easly can lead to falls :
Flat feet...diminished ability to transfer motion from heel to.big toe.
Disfigured and overlaping toes due to weak foot joints
Both impair the gait SIGNIFICANTLY
.and make you shlopping rather than walking...
shuffling your feet instead of bouncing.
My friend suffers from both problems and she just fell on her driveway last week " for no apparent reason"...as she said.
I am 69 and do power walk as part of my conditioning routine. I purposely push off rolling to the balls of my feet on each step which engages both calf strengthening and backward toe extension. Once you get used to walking this way it adds speed to your pace and your calves become rock hard.
Medication made my bp drop and I fell breaking 3 bones in my ankle. Long recovery in a cast then wheel chair
I hear you! As we get older, we're very likely to be on meds for something or another. I have found that my BP meds can be especially problematic for "dizziness and light headedness", both of which contribute to falls.
Excellent! Clear and not too wordy. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
You're missing one thing - the level of hearing loss. I am 58 and deaf all my life, and I wear hearing aids. This means that I can't use my earlobes to do auditory location (using sounds that occur in your environment, especially in bathrooms when water or external sounds are happening, to help keep your balance). I have issues with balance as a result, so I have to look at fixed objects like walls, railings, anything I can hang onto safely if I have to grab them. If you blindfold me and ask me to walk, I will invariably walk to either side. I do NOT like to keep my eyes closed in vulnerable positions. My vision is how I maintain my balance. In the dark where there is no light, I am "Oh no!" and freeze in place until I can see something. If people start to fall, get their hearing checked.
Yeah, I think he was covering mostly mobile difficulty, but yes the pressure in my ears from allergies does cause some trouble in balance. Turning, & moving quick, is no good for me at times...so I put a little pause between these two moves and I do alright🙂. I never thought about how we use our vision for our balance; that's interesting🙂.
Great video mant thanks
Couple of points: mobilising big toe, very good, so long as you can reach your feet. Unfortunately I have OA in lower spine. Also B/hips THR and R/knee TKR with revision that has left me with only 30 degrees of motion. The revision to my L hip also leaves me with reduced extension. I fall mainly because the knee prevents me from correcting my stance quickly enough. I’m 77 and walk 10,000 steps a day. When l fall I can’t get up without help simply because I need to get my L/leg under my body and without the ability to extend the hip on the left plus the inability to flex my knee on the right…… well you get the picture. I use a stick and always hope I fall close to a tree or similar to use as a lever. My upper body strength is good enough. My calf strength is good. Conclusion, it’s not always as simple as strengthening muscles, as you get older there are often multiple factors that stop old geezers from enjoying themselves. So far my many falls have not landed me in trouble. Main thing is to adapt with what you’ve got! 😳
Thank you for recognizing older bodies' needs are different. Young people can't appreciate the subtle changes that create problems. (I know I definitely didn't. I'm 76.).
This is precisely my problem and the exact solution I need. Well done.
So pleased my video came at the right time for you!
For that second cause: is the big toe mobilization effective when full covering shoes are worn - is the slip mitigated when the toes are constrained by a stiffer shoe cap? I can certainly see the benefit in the home or back yard/garden (mostly home bound seniors) if no or minimal foot covering is used - bare feet, socks only, flipflops, slippers or sandals and slip in low rise boots for outdoors - where the toes are essentially fully flexible.
In that study was one of the higher slip, trip, fall risks the friendly smaller pet winding about legs or having to avoid their swishing tails when they lay about floors carpets and stair and door ways?
Now, at the ripe young age of 71, I began having trouble telling vertical. A good ear cleaning and no problem afterward.
I'm 84, and have both problems in my left leg. Caused by permanent nerve damage due to back problems. It's been over a decade, and pt hasn't helped. I am aware of the danger, and am very careful.
This was much better than I expected. I thought there would only be mention of the occasions during which falls occur, e.g. climbing stairs, heavy lifting such as laundry, or getting into or out of baths, not the actual underlying causes and useful remedies. Thank you.
Thanks it is a great video with very clear explanation and demonstrations!
Excellent and helpful video! I liked how you gave us a lot of info in a short amount of time.
80 yrs here, 7 falls in one year, what fun!!
Great advice. Thank you.
Thank you! I shall do these every day
81 years old . By coincidence had three bad falls this last year breaking 2 front ribs , leg and crushing one back rib. 11 months in hospital and bed and now I can start walking. If I had had your pod a year ago perhaps my “golden years " could have been easier. Thank you !
Thanks. I learn something new every time I watch one of your videos. You have helped my mobility immensely.
That is fantastic to hear I'm so pleased my videos have offered such a help :)
Thank you for the helpful tips.
So easy to fo Will, explained with such good will to help, we owe you a lot...
I just appreciate your support in commenting on, and watching, my videos - thank you :)
Thank you Will this will be very helpful! ❤
So pleased it can help!
Thanks sharing with my older men’s support group ❤❤
Such great tips!!! Love your videos!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Very happy to share!
Terrific information ... and I'm very glad to see printed words in your description. You explain things quite well!
Thank you so pleased you found my video informational!
Great tips. Thank you.😊
Will, you are amazing! You are so succinct and what you say makes so much sense. My walking has improved significantly since I started including your exercises in my routine. Thanks!
Thank you.
Four fall in ladt few years at 61. Thought it was shoes, eyesight, rushing. Thankyou. Will try anything that prevents another.
Great information! Thanks so much for sharing this valuable information.
My pleasure!
That is sweet and thank you for sharing. Apple you are a great mom.
Excellent. Thanks Will
My pleasure!
That’s interesting, thank you. You’re so informative and appreciated
My pleasure!
Very good and an intuitive problem/ solution!
Thank you!
I just found you! I have started having a few falls. I especially lose balance when turning. Listening to you, I seem to have both issues. Doctors have encouraged me to exercise, but I was unsure where to start. I can't wait to try these.
Thank you! I will be doing these
exercises from now on!💛💛💛
I hope they prove beneficial!
Thanking you 🤗
Thank you so much for this info. I'm good w/the calf strength, but quite limited in the large-toe movement in the right foot. I would never have noticed the immobility were it not for your video, now I can consciously work on that area. I am grateful for the knowledge you share with us.. I wish you much happiness.
Thank you, Mr. Will, thank you.
Very welcome!
Appreciate your tips!
Well done, Will. Easily-doable exercises. Thank you.
You're very welcome :)
I never had falls until my latest stroke. My legs were majorly messed up; the exercises you list are totally impossible with my right leg.
Will, your videos are wonderful! I love how you explain why and what you're doing, and demonstrate everything thoroughly.
So happy to have come across your Channel! I am your newest Sub, & look forward to watching many more videos.
I'm pleased you came across my channel too - thank you for subscribing, I hope you continue to find my videos useful!
Thanks.
Brilliant!! Thank you. 😊
Happy to help :)
THANK YOU
You're very welcome :)
I'm really enjoying your videos. I feel like you are validating what I am teaching in my chair based yoga classes. I try to challenge the balance so we do standing work also, and I'm instinctively doing these exercises every session.
Thank you
You're welcome!
Another key problem is the loss of fast twitch muscle with ageing. Unless regular exercise is maintained, the fast twitch decays progressively resulting in only slow twitch fibers which despite having reasonable strength, are very slow to respond. This is why a lot of elderly people move in slow motion regardless of mental acuity. The slow muscle response makes catching a trip or stumble almost impossible. Better to use it than lose it.
I usually fall without hitting anything,but have learned now
I'm sorry to hear about your falls, I hope my video can offer some support going forward!
Thanks
I found your video entertaining and informative.
Thankyou. Love your videos.
Thanks, Will. You're a life(hip?) Saver . I see PT for knee and hip arthritis and chondromalacia patella AND IT band syndrome. I think he might be getting tired of hearing "Will says" lol. Not really, he's never disagreed with you 😊
Thank you for consulting your PT regarding my advice to make sure it's right for you - it's great to hear he's agreed with what I've advised! Wishing you all the best :)
Great info, I can really use this exercise.
Great to hear!
thank you
You're welcome :)
Recently discovered your channel, and am finding your recommendations and newsletter very helpful. Are there any exercises you suggest to address underpronotation issues? Thank you.
Thank you, will do
Thank you will ❤❤
You're welcome :)
Thank you very much for this informative video. Much appreciated. From Sydney Australia 🇦🇺
Very happy to be of assistance - sending best wishes to you in Sydney :)
Yes! I see so much advice about practising balance to avoid falls when the real main problem is as you describe. I tend to trip. As I am strong I catch myself and don’t fall. I thought about it and realised my right toe didn’t lift much. I practice the toe movement when I watch the tv at night now.
Having tight calves makes you foot tighter to and the hips also influence how we use our feet. It’s all related.
That's a great time to practice the movement! And definitely - a lot of our functions are heavily interconnected and it's important to understand where the problems are stemming from.
I am 86 with a broken hip and can only walk with a stick but this transfers pain to the neck and shoulders
Thank you for that advice. I understand more about falls and balance. Very helpful.I will do these everyday!
You are so welcome, so pleased it was educational!
Have just watched surprising risks of falls. Very interesting. 2 great exercises to do while standing to watch TV.
Great to hear you found it interesting!