One in three people in France aged over 65 falls at least once a year, and falls cause 100,000 hospitalisations and 10,000 deaths annually, according to figures from the Ministry of Labour, Health and Solidarity. The ministry says falls are the leading cause of loss of independence among older people in the country.
In 2022, the French government launched a nationwide "anti-fall plan" aimed at cutting the number of fatal falls and falls requiring hospitalisation among older people by 20% within three years.
Home Safety Isn't Enough
In a recent segment on TF1's morning programme Bonjour! La matinale, physician Vincent Valinducq advised adapting the home to help prevent falls, including securing bathrooms and staircases, improving lighting in rooms and keeping walkways clear. But he cautioned that equipping the home is not enough on its own, since poor health increases the risk of falling and people also need to take care of their bodies.
Exercise to Stay Strong
Regular physical activity strengthens muscles and flexibility, and the less a person moves, the greater the risk of falling, since underused muscles no longer offer protection. The French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, known as Inserm, says physical activity helps preserve reflexes and mental sharpness. According to the researchers behind the Inserm study, exercise partly offsets the increase in reaction time seen in healthy older people when they lose their balance, and is associated with better performance in tasks that rely on executive function. Sports that directly train posture and balance, such as dance or water-based activities, can offer additional benefits.
Eating for Stronger Bones and Muscles
The Collectif Lutte contre la dénutrition, a French coalition against malnutrition, estimates that the diets of several hundred thousand older people in France do not meet their nutritional needs. Certain nutrients help the body stay strong and keep its balance. Protein strengthens muscles, and animal protein such as meat, fish and eggs is easier for older people to digest and absorb. Calcium strengthens bones, and older adults are advised to eat two to three servings of dairy products each day, with one serving equal to 150ml of milk, 125g of yoghurt or 30g of cheese. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and can be found in supplements, cod liver oil, oily fish such as herring, salmon or sardines, and in eggs.
Reviewing Medication with a Doctor
Taking medication incorrectly often creates the conditions for a fall, by causing low blood pressure, insomnia or dizziness. Older people are advised to check in regularly with their GP or a pharmacist, listing both prescribed treatments and any medication taken without a prescription, so that risks of harmful interactions between drugs can be reviewed. Certain medications, such as sleeping pills or anti-anxiety drugs, can disrupt balance and alertness.
