Hello! A quick note before we get into things. This article was kindly produced (and gratefully received!) for the SDC by Dr Michael Gliksman, BMed(Hons), MPH, PhD, FAFPHM(RACP), FRSMed. This article does not constitute individual medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your doctor before making any lifestyle or treatment changes based on the information contained in this article.


Falls are the most common type of accident in people aged 65 or older and can result in fractures, hospitalisation, and disability. Fractures of the hip, wrist, humerus, and pelvis are the most common serious injury resulting from falls in older persons, a risk compounded in those suffering from osteoporosis.

Falls are a leading indirect cause of death from injury in people aged over 65 years and that risk rises rapidly with increasing age. By age 85, approximately two-thirds of all reported injury-related deaths are due reportedly to falls.

Medication can play a role in causing falls among the elderly. Drug side effects such as postural hypotension, sedation and blurred vision can contribute to the risk of falling, so if loss of balance and falls are a concern, medication assessment by your treating doctor(s) is an important part of evaluating your risk.

Unsurprisingly, mobility impairment is also a significant risk factor for falls. Like medication-induced risks, these can, with appropriate health professional input, be modified.

As many of us know from personal experience, muscle mass and strength, along with balance and visual acuity, decline with age. These are strong predictors of falls.

Fear of falling often leads to activity restriction, a decline in physical function (itself a risk factor for falls), and a loss of independence. Isn’t becoming a venerable elder fun?

Reducing the Risk of Falls:

Research indicates that if you take care of your overall health, you are likely to lower your chances of falling. Here are some of their recommendations you can put into action.

• Stay physically active. Exercise programmes that enhance balance are particularly effective^[8]. Try to get at least 150 minutes per week of physical activity but first, plan an exercise/activity program with your health professionals that is right for you.
  
  
• Along with the right sort of regular activity, maintaining a healthy weight and a good diet rich in calcium and vitamin D can help keep your bones strong.
  
  
• Try to maintain a healthy weight (easier said than done but definitely worth the effort). Being overweight increases the risk of falls while being underweight increases the risk of bone loss and susceptibility to osteoporotic fractures.
  
  
• Mild weight-bearing activities, such as walking or climbing stairs, may also slow bone loss from osteoporosis, which in turn will reduce the risk of fall-related fractures. Having healthy bones won't prevent a fall, but might prevent breaking a hip or other bone if you fall. For people with osteoporosis, even a minor fall may be dangerous. Talk to your doctor about exercises, and whether you need vitamin D, calcium, and/or medicines to help combat osteoporosis.
  
  
• Have your eyes tested regularly. Even small changes in sight may contribute to the risk of a fall. When you get new eyeglasses or contact lenses, take time to get used to them.
• If a specific medicine or a change in dosage makes you sleepy or dizzy, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
  
  
• Even a small amount of alcohol can affect your balance and reflexes. Studies show that the rate of hip fractures in older adults increases with alcohol use. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink to no more than two standard drinks per day for men, and one standard drink per day for women^[9].
  
  
• If getting up quickly causes a loss of balance, even if momentarily, get your blood pressure checked by your doctor when (you, not the doctor) are lying and standing.
  
  
• See your doctor if you fall, even if you aren't hurt. A fall can alert your doctor to a new medical problem or problems with your medications, balance, or other physical problems that can be corrected or treated.

What do you guys think? If you have any questions/comments for the doc, drop them below and we'll see if we can convince him to reply!

 

[Singomate]

Hello! A quick note before we get into things. This article was kindly produced (and gratefully received!) for the SDC by Dr Michael Gliksman, BMed(Hons), MPH, PhD, FAFPHM(RACP), FRSMed. This article does not constitute individual medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your doctor before making any lifestyle or treatment changes based on the information contained in this article.


Falls are the most common type of accident in people aged 65 or older and can result in fractures, hospitalisation, and disability. Fractures of the hip, wrist, humerus, and pelvis are the most common serious injury resulting from falls in older persons, a risk compounded in those suffering from osteoporosis.

Falls are a leading indirect cause of death from injury in people aged over 65 years and that risk rises rapidly with increasing age. By age 85, approximately two-thirds of all reported injury-related deaths are due reportedly to falls.

Medication can play a role in causing falls among the elderly. Drug side effects such as postural hypotension, sedation and blurred vision can contribute to the risk of falling, so if loss of balance and falls are a concern, medication assessment by your treating doctor(s) is an important part of evaluating your risk.

Unsurprisingly, mobility impairment is also a significant risk factor for falls. Like medication-induced risks, these can, with appropriate health professional input, be modified.

As many of us know from personal experience, muscle mass and strength, along with balance and visual acuity, decline with age. These are strong predictors of falls.

Fear of falling often leads to activity restriction, a decline in physical function (itself a risk factor for falls), and a loss of independence. Isn’t becoming a venerable elder fun?

Reducing the Risk of Falls:

Research indicates that if you take care of your overall health, you are likely to lower your chances of falling. Here are some of their recommendations you can put into action.

• Stay physically active. Exercise programmes that enhance balance are particularly effective^[8]. Try to get at least 150 minutes per week of physical activity but first, plan an exercise/activity program with your health professionals that is right for you.
  
  
• Along with the right sort of regular activity, maintaining a healthy weight and a good diet rich in calcium and vitamin D can help keep your bones strong.
  
  
• Try to maintain a healthy weight (easier said than done but definitely worth the effort). Being overweight increases the risk of falls while being underweight increases the risk of bone loss and susceptibility to osteoporotic fractures.
  
  
• Mild weight-bearing activities, such as walking or climbing stairs, may also slow bone loss from osteoporosis, which in turn will reduce the risk of fall-related fractures. Having healthy bones won't prevent a fall, but might prevent breaking a hip or other bone if you fall. For people with osteoporosis, even a minor fall may be dangerous. Talk to your doctor about exercises, and whether you need vitamin D, calcium, and/or medicines to help combat osteoporosis.
  
  
• Have your eyes tested regularly. Even small changes in sight may contribute to the risk of a fall. When you get new eyeglasses or contact lenses, take time to get used to them.
• If a specific medicine or a change in dosage makes you sleepy or dizzy, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
  
  
• Even a small amount of alcohol can affect your balance and reflexes. Studies show that the rate of hip fractures in older adults increases with alcohol use. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink to no more than two standard drinks per day for men, and one standard drink per day for women^[9].
  
  
• If getting up quickly causes a loss of balance, even if momentarily, get your blood pressure checked by your doctor when (you, not the doctor) are lying and standing.
  
  
• See your doctor if you fall, even if you aren't hurt. A fall can alert your doctor to a new medical problem or problems with your medications, balance, or other physical problems that can be corrected or treated.

What do you guys think? If you have any questions/comments for the doc, drop them below and we'll see if we can convince him to reply!

Just had first hand experience

 

[Geronimo 2022]

Hello! A quick note before we get into things. This article was kindly produced (and gratefully received!) for the SDC by Dr Michael Gliksman, BMed(Hons), MPH, PhD, FAFPHM(RACP), FRSMed. This article does not constitute individual medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your doctor before making any lifestyle or treatment changes based on the information contained in this article.


Falls are the most common type of accident in people aged 65 or older and can result in fractures, hospitalisation, and disability. Fractures of the hip, wrist, humerus, and pelvis are the most common serious injury resulting from falls in older persons, a risk compounded in those suffering from osteoporosis.

Falls are a leading indirect cause of death from injury in people aged over 65 years and that risk rises rapidly with increasing age. By age 85, approximately two-thirds of all reported injury-related deaths are due reportedly to falls.

Medication can play a role in causing falls among the elderly. Drug side effects such as postural hypotension, sedation and blurred vision can contribute to the risk of falling, so if loss of balance and falls are a concern, medication assessment by your treating doctor(s) is an important part of evaluating your risk.

Unsurprisingly, mobility impairment is also a significant risk factor for falls. Like medication-induced risks, these can, with appropriate health professional input, be modified.

As many of us know from personal experience, muscle mass and strength, along with balance and visual acuity, decline with age. These are strong predictors of falls.

Fear of falling often leads to activity restriction, a decline in physical function (itself a risk factor for falls), and a loss of independence. Isn’t becoming a venerable elder fun?

Reducing the Risk of Falls:

Research indicates that if you take care of your overall health, you are likely to lower your chances of falling. Here are some of their recommendations you can put into action.

• Stay physically active. Exercise programmes that enhance balance are particularly effective^[8]. Try to get at least 150 minutes per week of physical activity but first, plan an exercise/activity program with your health professionals that is right for you.
  
  
• Along with the right sort of regular activity, maintaining a healthy weight and a good diet rich in calcium and vitamin D can help keep your bones strong.
  
  
• Try to maintain a healthy weight (easier said than done but definitely worth the effort). Being overweight increases the risk of falls while being underweight increases the risk of bone loss and susceptibility to osteoporotic fractures.
  
  
• Mild weight-bearing activities, such as walking or climbing stairs, may also slow bone loss from osteoporosis, which in turn will reduce the risk of fall-related fractures. Having healthy bones won't prevent a fall, but might prevent breaking a hip or other bone if you fall. For people with osteoporosis, even a minor fall may be dangerous. Talk to your doctor about exercises, and whether you need vitamin D, calcium, and/or medicines to help combat osteoporosis.
  
  
• Have your eyes tested regularly. Even small changes in sight may contribute to the risk of a fall. When you get new eyeglasses or contact lenses, take time to get used to them.
• If a specific medicine or a change in dosage makes you sleepy or dizzy, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
  
  
• Even a small amount of alcohol can affect your balance and reflexes. Studies show that the rate of hip fractures in older adults increases with alcohol use. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink to no more than two standard drinks per day for men, and one standard drink per day for women^[9].
  
  
• If getting up quickly causes a loss of balance, even if momentarily, get your blood pressure checked by your doctor when (you, not the doctor) are lying and standing.
  
  
• See your doctor if you fall, even if you aren't hurt. A fall can alert your doctor to a new medical problem or problems with your medications, balance, or other physical problems that can be corrected or treated.

What do you guys think? If you have any questions/comments for the doc, drop them below and we'll see if we can convince him to reply!

Ia fall can happen out of nowhere and it can have strange outcomes. You bite through your younger causing you to swallow blood which causes you to vomit, fracture your eye socket, and your wrist cut your eye ( won’t need eyeshadow for awhile) and it makes you very tired for quite awhile. Proof is right here! And I take osteoporosis medication!

 

[Singomate]

Hello! A quick note before we get into things. This article was kindly produced (and gratefully received!) for the SDC by Dr Michael Gliksman, BMed(Hons), MPH, PhD, FAFPHM(RACP), FRSMed. This article does not constitute individual medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your doctor before making any lifestyle or treatment changes based on the information contained in this article.


Falls are the most common type of accident in people aged 65 or older and can result in fractures, hospitalisation, and disability. Fractures of the hip, wrist, humerus, and pelvis are the most common serious injury resulting from falls in older persons, a risk compounded in those suffering from osteoporosis.

Falls are a leading indirect cause of death from injury in people aged over 65 years and that risk rises rapidly with increasing age. By age 85, approximately two-thirds of all reported injury-related deaths are due reportedly to falls.

Medication can play a role in causing falls among the elderly. Drug side effects such as postural hypotension, sedation and blurred vision can contribute to the risk of falling, so if loss of balance and falls are a concern, medication assessment by your treating doctor(s) is an important part of evaluating your risk.

Unsurprisingly, mobility impairment is also a significant risk factor for falls. Like medication-induced risks, these can, with appropriate health professional input, be modified.

As many of us know from personal experience, muscle mass and strength, along with balance and visual acuity, decline with age. These are strong predictors of falls.

Fear of falling often leads to activity restriction, a decline in physical function (itself a risk factor for falls), and a loss of independence. Isn’t becoming a venerable elder fun?

Reducing the Risk of Falls:

Research indicates that if you take care of your overall health, you are likely to lower your chances of falling. Here are some of their recommendations you can put into action.

• Stay physically active. Exercise programmes that enhance balance are particularly effective^[8]. Try to get at least 150 minutes per week of physical activity but first, plan an exercise/activity program with your health professionals that is right for you.
  
  
• Along with the right sort of regular activity, maintaining a healthy weight and a good diet rich in calcium and vitamin D can help keep your bones strong.
  
  
• Try to maintain a healthy weight (easier said than done but definitely worth the effort). Being overweight increases the risk of falls while being underweight increases the risk of bone loss and susceptibility to osteoporotic fractures.
  
  
• Mild weight-bearing activities, such as walking or climbing stairs, may also slow bone loss from osteoporosis, which in turn will reduce the risk of fall-related fractures. Having healthy bones won't prevent a fall, but might prevent breaking a hip or other bone if you fall. For people with osteoporosis, even a minor fall may be dangerous. Talk to your doctor about exercises, and whether you need vitamin D, calcium, and/or medicines to help combat osteoporosis.
  
  
• Have your eyes tested regularly. Even small changes in sight may contribute to the risk of a fall. When you get new eyeglasses or contact lenses, take time to get used to them.
• If a specific medicine or a change in dosage makes you sleepy or dizzy, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
  
  
• Even a small amount of alcohol can affect your balance and reflexes. Studies show that the rate of hip fractures in older adults increases with alcohol use. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink to no more than two standard drinks per day for men, and one standard drink per day for women^[9].
  
  
• If getting up quickly causes a loss of balance, even if momentarily, get your blood pressure checked by your doctor when (you, not the doctor) are lying and standing.
  
  
• See your doctor if you fall, even if you aren't hurt. A fall can alert your doctor to a new medical problem or problems with your medications, balance, or other physical problems that can be corrected or treated.

What do you guys think? If you have any questions/comments for the doc, drop them below and we'll see if we can convince him to reply!

Having just gone thru this, because of high doses of medications. My new Doctor has told me he can't understand the high dose of one type of drug, asked him If Ishould hand my license in, and was told to cut this medication, not drive for a month,. Now waiting for results

 

[JayKay]

I don't fall, yet I've had 23 spontaneous fractures since I had breast cancer.
I don't have osteoporosis or osteopaenia, my bones are solid and I no longer take medication for osteoporosis, as I don't have low bone density and I keep breaking bones spontaneously.
No fun, incredibly painful, and they take so long to heal.

 

[Zig Zag]

I do exercises once a week with Blue Care & Tai Chi once a week.

I enjoy these activities given by Physiotherapists.

 

[Liz]

I go to the gym once a week at the University, but fell of the back door of a bus earlier this year. X-rays failed to pick up any damage but a bit later down the track a MRI picked up a fracture of my tibia. Don't undertstand why the x-ray didn't pick up the fracture. Have had 4 months of healing to go through and yes I do have osteoperosis. If my physio hadn't have asked for a MRI I would never have known. What irks me is that the government doesn't give any rebates for MRI's for knees in people over 50, bit discriminatory if you ask me.

 

[JayKay]

I go to the gym once a week at the University, but fell of the back door of a bus earlier this year. X-rays failed to pick up any damage but a bit later down the track a MRI picked up a fracture of my tibia. Don't undertstand why the x-ray didn't pick up the fracture. Have had 4 months of healing to go through and yes I do have osteoperosis. If my physio hadn't have asked for a MRI I would never have known. What irks me is that the government doesn't give any rebates for MRI's for knees in people over 50, bit discriminatory if you ask me.

It's my understanding that MRIs are fully covered by Medicare if ordered by a Specialist, not a physio or GP.