The Most Impactful, Preventable Health Event
In my 20 years at Roslyn Pharmacy, one thing has become painfully clear: the single most preventable health event that changes the course of someone’s life is a fall.
We see it all the time. One week, a regular customer is popping in for their scripts, chatting about the weather or rugby. The next, we’re reading their hospital discharge summary — they’ve had a fall, broken a hip, and they’re heading into one of our excellent local care facilities. It happens fast.
And here’s the scary part — it’s getting worse. Records show that deaths attributed to falls in the elderly in the USA have risen 72% between 1990 and 2023. That’s not just a number — that’s grandparents, neighbours, friends. So why are falls increasing?, and what can we do to reduce their impact.
Why Falls Happen
There are lots of reasons:
1) Physical changes — as we age, balance, muscle strength, and reflexes can decline.
2) Vision issues — even slightly worse eyesight makes it harder to spot hazards
3) Tripping hazards — rugs, cords, poorly lit hallways can all be dangerous.But the biggest factor we’re seeing more and more? 4)Medications.
Medicines that affect the central nervous system — like those used for sleep and chronic pain — can increase the risk of falls. We’re talking about zopiclone, amitriptyline, gabapentin, pregabalin. These medicines can make you drowsy, dizzy, or off-balance, individually these medicines can make you a bit woozy but in combination can be disastrous.
What We Can Do
The good news? There’s plenty we can do to prevent falls — and it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
1 . Review your medicines
Ask your pharmacist to review what you’re taking. Do you still need them all? Can the dose be reduced? Even a small tweak can lower your risk.
2. Keep moving
Strong muscles mean better balance. Regular,low-impact exercise is your best friend , our favourite is Pilates, we see a fantastic bunch of people every week putting in the work and getting great results and as a bonus: you might make new friends in the process.
Another great option around Dunedin is the Steady as you go classes run by Age Concern Otago. Designed especially for older people with classes that include seated, standing and walking exercises. It improves leg strength, flexibility, spatial awareness, general fitness and wellbeing. The sessions are friendly, encourage everyone to go at their own pace, and help people feel physically stronger and more confident. Get those GAINS people!!
(Sidebar: Amy here from Upside Pilates - some practical, easy to implement exercises to try at home - improve balance by standing on one leg while you brush your teeth, or find a clear space by a wall - try standing on one leg with your eyes closed - the goal is stand on each leg for one minute. The key is be KIND TO YOURSELF and keep practicing and you will see improvements! - YOU GOT THIS)
3. Eat more than you think
We often see rapid weight loss in older patients, which is super impactful as you age. It impairs cognitive function, and causes muscle loss. Muscle is protective — it’s what keeps you upright. Make sure you’re eating enough protein to maintain strength as you age. Please keep an eye for loved ones and neighbours and mention it EARLY- because once we start to lose weight - its very difficult to put it back on
4. Make your home safe
Take a walk through your home and look for trip hazards. Loose rugs, electrical cords, decorative clutter — anything that could catch your foot. If it’s not worth a hip fracture, it’s not worth keeping on the floor.
5. Look after your bones
Falls don’t always lead to broken bones — but when they do, recovery can be long and complicated. Ask your doctor about bone density scans, especially if you’re over 65 or have risk factors for osteoporosis. Good bone health starts with calcium, but calcium needs vitamin D to be properly absorbed. If you’re not getting enough sun exposure (Helloooo Dunedin), talk to us to discuss if vitamin D supplementation could be right for you.
Falls aren’t just “part of getting older.” They’re often preventable — and taking a few small steps now can keep you independent, mobile, and living the life you want for longer. And if you ever want to talk about your medicines — please do. Sometimes we look really busy in the dispensary and we may not be able to help right at that moment, but we will always make time to discuss your medicines properly. A simple email to info@roslynpharmacy.co.nz or a phone call to make an appointment with one of our team is all it takes. I promise you’ll always be better off after talking with one of our super talented pharmacists.
Reach out if anything above has piqued your interest :)
Andy and the team at Roslyn Pharmacy - Dunedins Friendliest Pharmacy
