(9/26/23) As we begin our first full week of Autumn (Fall) with cooler temperatures, back-to-school, and warm beverages, we simultaneously conclude the perhaps lesser-known awareness campaign of Fall Prevention Month.
Falls are much more common than you might think… affecting one in four adults over age 65 nationwide EVERY year! In 2020, that was over 210,000 older adults in Maryland alone. Additionally, one in ten falls causes a serious injury. With how common and dangerous falls can be, you might be wondering why we don’t talk about them more. The answer lies at the intersection of ableism and ageism.
Ableism is the set of stereotypes and practices that devalue and discriminate against people with disabilities. So that might look like inaccessible buildings, rooms, and transportation options. There are also interpersonal examples of ableism such as infantilizing people with disabilities or not taking their accommodations seriously. Ableism impacts the accessibility of our environments. It encourages isolation and risk-taking as we make decisions on where it is safe for us to be, both contributing to and masking fall risk.
Ageism is the stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination that affects folks based on their age, often targeting younger and older generations, though in different, nuanced, ways. Ageism can be a factor in weakened intergenerational bonds, social and geographic isolation, economic and job opportunities, stress, and physical and mental health. Though aging itself is a diverse and unique process, ageism makes it seem incredibly flat, lumping an entire generation together. Older adults encounter ageism in subtle ways with things such as “anti-aging” products, negative or “humorous” comments about getting older, and unwarranted “boomer” jokes. More overt examples of ageism may be financial scams or difficulty in finding certain types of specialized care (geriatric mental health for example). The lack of age diversity in many areas of media and daily life takes a toll on self-worth and confidence.
Ageism and ableism together contribute to fall risk as safety precautions are dismissed, ignored, or not even considered in the first place. If this is something you’ve rarely thought about, take a moment to ponder why that might be. Learn about fall risks, and how to ensure your personal spaces are as safe as possible. You can start by checking out the resources below!
Read more from Chase Brexton's Institute for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion here: The Institute for EDI | Chase Brexton Health Care
Resources
10 Myths About Older Adults and Falls (ncoa.org)
