Seniors Taking Antidepressants More Prone to Falls

Recent research has shown that seniors who take prescription antidepressants and pills to help seniors and elderly sleep are at a higher risk of experiencing a fall. Falls can be serious for seniors. Aside from the pain associated with the fall, seniors feel a loss of independence if an injury is sustained. Most seniors are at risk for these falls, but those who are on antidepressants are 1.5 times more likely to experience a fall. The reason is because most antidepressants have a sedative in them. The following list contains some facts relating to senior falls.

1. Elderly individuals are usually more sensitive to prescription drugs. They cannot metabolize the medication as well as younger patients. This can cause adverse events, including falls.

2. One third of Canadian seniors who reside at home experience at least one fall per year.

3. 90% of hip fractures are caused by falls. Of this percentage, 15% of the patients will have to move into a long-term care facility.

4. Any drug that contains a sedative, including antidepressants, anti-psychotics, sleeping pills and some high-blood pressure medications, will increase the risk of a fall.

Source: Toronto CTV CA

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