What age is it dangerous to have a fall

[Rainydaydreamer]

I'm in my sixties and have recently dusted off my bike after many years and I'm ready to go out for a spin .

I'm wary of falling off and ending up at deaths door. So many stories on this board about elderly people having a fall going into hospital and not coming out or having a fall and their quality of life diminished.

Well to be fair, any one can fall off/be knocked off a bike and end up in hospital (or worse).
The older you get the longer it will take to recover and heal from injuries. An your bones become more brittle.

Any age , particularly if you are falling off a bike

Cycling is so good for your health!
Get a good helmet, and have it properly fitted, and maybe find a local women’s group to ride with. Have a look ar British Cycling Breeze rides in your area.
Dont be put off, get out and enjoy cycling :)

True but as you get older it can lead to complications

How long is a piece of string?

there are both higher and lower risk forms of exercise than outdoor cycling in terms of accidenta. But any will be better healthwise than inactivity.

if your concern is osteoperosis putting you at higher risk of breaks you could pay for checks of your bone health.

I wouldn't worry about it if there aren't any other health issues. I'm 65 and still ride horses.

I don't think there is a particular age as such, there are so many variables.

I think just try it and see how you get on.

I was close witness to a very bad accident caused by going a very fast speed so try not to go too fast, and choose quiet traffic routes. If you don’t exercise your body will become more susceptible to falls, best to keep fit and enjoy it!

Do you have any risk factors like osteoporosis?

I'm in my 60s and don't consider myself at much greater risk than I was 20 years ago. I took a crashing tumble over the dog on Saturday (black dog who like to lie on a dark rug in a dark hallway). I landed on my back at right angles on the other side of the hallway ( not sure how). I picked myself up and was fine other than feeling a bit shaken up.

A cycling accident can cause life changing injuries at any age.

A fall at any age is miserable. I know from recent experience the shock is horrendous let alone any injuries. The shock can take days to recover from.

Make sure you wear protective hi-vis clothing and helmet. Cycle with a group if you can, to get back into the swing of it. You go girl! It’s good fun.

To find out how likely your bones are to break when you fall you'll need a bone density scan.
If your bone density is below minus 2.5 then you've osteperosis. Which means you are more likely to break from standing height/walking speed. You can take medication for your bones, calcium D3 tablets and another stronger thing I forget the name of.

Is it Zolendronic acid?

I have a relative who is still cycling regularly, long distances, age 78.

I think the benefits outweigh the risks as long as you cycle safely and carefully

Quite often it’s an underlying (possibly undiagnosed) health condition that causes the fall & makes recovery take longer. Often it’s frailty making broken bones more likely etc.

If you are a fit & healthy 65 year old I wouldn’t let the risk of falling off stop you cycling altogether.

60’s is nowhere near elderly.
Coming off a bike can be serious at any age. Just take care, wear all the protective gear and enjoy it.

a) it depends how frail you are. If you have brittle bones, or would struggle to get yourself up, or your reactions have slowed so you can’t protect yourself when you fall then a fall can do you more damage than someone younger. Does any of that apply to you?

b) falls, especially frequent falls and falls from standing when doing normal activities of daily living (crossing the sitting room) are often a sign of underlying/increasing frailty - poor balance because of muscle loss/sensory damage. If you’re cycling I doubt this applies to you.

So the broad answer is probably much older than you, and in much worse general nick, and staying healthy and active will push your risk much older.

@augustusglupe

I'm sorry but that's not true (that being in your 60s is nowhere near elderly.) It really is. And I say this as someone close to that age range. You're not very old in your 60s, but you're not young, nowhere near young... And you're not that far off elderly. I don't know why ageing, and admitting you are quite old, is such a taboo on here.

Ageing/getting old, is not a sin, and is a privilege denied to many! I find it very sad that so many people get offended if there is any suggestion they might be a bit old, or gasp! ELDERLY! There is nothing wrong with being old and elderly. Why are people so insulted if someone suggests they may be elderly?

Anyway!

@rainydaydreamer

As for your comments..... I don't think that people will end up in hospital for a normal fall (that is not from height,) til they are past 70. It depends on the person of course, but I would say at 70+ your bones will be quite a bit weaker than they were at 60, and a fall will result in broken bones, even if it's not a bad fall.

I fell down some rocks at the side of a river about 6 months ago. (I am 60-ish.) It was around a 5-6 feet sloped drop. I was badly bruised, and I fractured a rib and was in some pain for a week or so. But I was OK and not hospitalised. Completely recovered within 2 weeks. I am not super fit, but do walk 2-3 miles a day, and I carry about 2 stone or so of extra weight, so probably had a bit of 'padding!'

I'm 58 and fall a lot! But then I do have rheumatoid arthritis and also osteoporosis. If you have no medical reason to worry then enjoy your bike!

Falls at any age can be minor or serious. Mum at 90 years fell off a stool and not a scratch on her. Hospital was amazed at her (and then gave out to her for standing on a stool). Neighbour aged 40 fell off asimilar stool and shattered her leg which is still causing serious problems almost 12 months later. Be active and take care.

Just go cycling! You can’t live your life wrapped in cotton wool. Exercise is so good for you.

I run, lift weights and a do a Zumba class. I’m 60!

My mum has osteoporosis. She had a few falls in her 70s with no complications. It was in her mid 80s that she started breaking bones when she fell - broke a hip and cracked a couple of vertebrae. She has still recovered fully and is back to mobility without using any kind of walking aid.

A fall from a bike is different but as long as you take sensible precautions I think cycling in your 60s is great exercise.

I fell and broke my arm recently. I'm 72. It healed enough to get the plaster cast off in the standard six weeks. Then a few more to get completely better.

I believe it’s 75-80+ when a fall has more impact on life expectancy.

I know several councils who have falls prevention officers. They run free 12 week courses to help build up strength and balance.

Any age.

Risk of serious injuries start to increase after 65.

In terms of a bike I don't think it is particularly high risk for healthy people in their 60s. My husband is mid 60s and he has just started cycling again. He has osteoarthritis in his thumb which isn't ideal for changing gear. He also suffers from positional vertigo but that doesn't seem to be causing problems.

My grandfather never drove but cycled until his mid 80s when he came off his bike and then gave up.

My mum on the other hand when she was in her 50s could not have coped with cycling. However she swam every day. She did have trips and falls in her 60s but her health was not good.

Cycling in general is a really good form of non weight bearing exercise, so would definitely do it if you can. I cycle almost every day, not far, but love it.