Drop the shame and grab a cane to prevent hidden senior injury risks

KUALA LUMPUR - Elderly Malaysians should not feel embarrassed about using walking sticks as a preventive measure against falls, which remain a significant but often overlooked cause of injury, disability and death among senior citizens.

With more than 11.0 per cent of the population now aged 60 and above, the risk of falls has emerged as a significant but often ‘hidden’ cause of death and disability in the country.

In a joint statement, consultant community paediatrician Datuk Dr Amar-Singh HSS and Datin Dr Lim Swee Im said globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other medical organisations recognised that falls were an important cause of unintentional injury and death among adults aged 60 and over.

They noted that the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s (DOSM) ‘Statistics On Causes Of Death, Malaysia 2025’ would show that the top four causes of medically certified death in those aged 60 years and over were pneumonia, heart disease, diabetes mellitus and stroke.

"But this does not paint the full picture. Our cause of death mechanism in Malaysia records the final cause of death and not the underlying causes of death.

"For example, if an older person has a fall, with a significant injury or hip fracture, and is then bed-bound and develops pneumonia as a result of the immobility, the cause of death will be recorded as pneumonia, not the fall,” they said in a statement today.

They cited data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS), which showed that one in seven Malaysians aged 60 and above experienced at least one fall within the previous 12 months in both the 2018 and 2025 surveys.

The commentary highlighted several factors that increased fall risks among older adults, including age-related muscle loss, cognitive impairments that severely affected balance, chronic illnesses and medication side effects.

"NHMS 2025 data indicated that 45 per cent of Malaysians aged 60 and above have sarcopenia, 10 per cent have dementia, 39 per cent have diabetes and 73 per cent have hypertension,” they noted.

They also pointed to declining physical capability among older persons, noting that 10 per cent experienced limitations in daily living activities, four per cent had vision impairments and 30 per cent were physically inactive.

Sharing their own experience, Dr Amar and Dr Lim said that once they both reached 60 years of age, they started routinely using lightweight, height-adjustable hiking sticks, even though they remained fit and active.

"A simple walking stick makes us much more stable and steadier on our feet, less wobbling around. Navigating uneven surfaces, building steps and roads can be quite hazardous, not to mention potholes and unexpected gaps,” they said.

"Having used them now for several years, we have come to enjoy the extra support that a simple walking stick gives us. It is now second nature for us not to leave our home without a walking stick. Some people look at us oddly, two fit individuals using a walking stick.

They also expressed sadness that many older persons, feeling embarrassed to use a walking stick for fear of looking ‘old,’ instead resort to using inadequate umbrellas or holding onto relatives desperately for support.

They also called for greater attention to home safety and public infrastructure, noting that falls frequently occurred in and around the home, and recommended practical modifications such as installing non-slip flooring, covering drains, lowering storage spaces and adding grab bars in bathrooms.

In addition, they urged organisations and public facilities to reconsider the widespread use of polished marble flooring, which they described as a major slip hazard, particularly for older persons, people with disabilities and young children. - BERNAMA