A Growing Troubling Triad: Diabetes, Aging, and Falls

• Published in: Journal of Aging Research Vol. 2013; no. 2013; pp. 67 - 72
• Main Authors: Crews, Ryan T., Yalla, Sai V., Fleischer, Adam E., Wu, Stephanie C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Limiteds 2013; Hindawi Puplishing Corporation; Hindawi Publishing Corporation; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Aging; Demographic aspects; Diabetes; Falls (Accidents); Health aspects; Review; Risk factors; United States
• ISSN: 2090-2212; 2090-2204; 2090-2212
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/342650

There is a significant and troubling link between diabetes (DM) and falls in the elderly. Individuals with DM are prone to fall for reasons such as decreased sensorimotor function, musculoskeletal/neuromuscular deficits, foot and body pain, pharmacological complications, and specialty (offloading) footwear devices. Additionally, there is some concern that DM patients are prone to have more severe problems with falls than non-DM individuals. Fractures, poorer rehabilitation, and increased number of falls are all concerns. Fortunately, efforts to mitigate falls by DM patients show promise. A number of studies have shown that balance, strength, and gait training may be utilized to successfully reduce fall risk in this population. Furthermore, new technologies such as virtual reality proprioceptive training may be able to provide this reduced risk within a safe training environment.