While we have not yet seen the first snow of the season, ice and cold weather can create more obstacles for people already at risk of falling.
As the ground freezes up, so do muscles and joints, making it harder for nearly 600-thousand older New Mexicans to move around or maintain their balance.
Alex Deradke, DO, is a geriatrician at The University of New Mexico Senior Health Center in Albuquerque. He specializes in medical concerns that come with aging—including falling—which can result in fractures, traumatic brain injuries and in some cases, death.
“A third of people who fall and break a hip over the age of 65 don't live another year after that,” he said.
The New Mexico Department of Health recently reported falls are the main cause of injury-related deaths for New Mexicans ages 65 and older. According to the report, there were more than 1,400 unintentional fall-related deaths among that age group between 2019 and 2023.
If your goal is to live independently and interact with us as little as possible, then making sure your fall risk is addressed is the best way to do that.
-Alex Deradke, DO, Geriatrician, UNM Senior Health Center
“Preventing falls definitely saves lives,” Deradke said.
He also said fall prevention starts with talking to a medical professional about fall risk. He encourages patients to initiate those conversations, even if they have not had a recent fall.
“A lot of providers don't bring up falls unless a patient brings it up,” he said. “So, if you were to come in and bring up your falls and tell your provider, ‘I'm worried about falling,’ or, ‘I have had falls, and what can we do about it,’ then you are taking initiative in your care.”
Deradke also recommended building up strength. He teaches patients exercises to build muscle and improve balance in a weekly senior fall clinic.
“Even if you're standing, washing dishes at the sink, you can pull one leg up while you hold on to the edge, and you're working on your balance,” he explained. “You can even get down on the floor and work on strengthening your core and strengthening your legs in a way that eliminates risk of falling. You're already down there.”
Deradke also reviews his patients’ medications and side effects, performs physical exams, and—because falling is common—he also teaches patients how to safely fall and safely get back up.
“Whatever side that you think is stronger, I want you to roll to that side,” he said.
Additional safety measures Deradke recommends include wearing an emergency alert button—so someone who has fallen can still call for help even if they are unable to get up or get to a phone—and getting hearing and vision checked regularly, because not being able to see or hear properly can increase a person’s risk of falling. He also urges pet lovers to carefully consider owning a dog. He said smaller dogs can becoming tripping hazards and bigger dogs can pull people down during walks.
After a fall, Deradke said to follow-up with a doctor and keep-up with physical therapy if recommended.
Getting ahead of falls not only helps his patients to stay safe and healthy but also keep their independence, he said. “If your goal is to live independently and interact with us as little as possible, then making sure your fall risk is addressed is the best way to do that.”
It also gives concerned loved ones peace of mind.
To learn more about health resources and services available to New Mexico seniors, click here.
