The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that falls among the elderly are common, with as many as 40% of people age 65 and older falling each year, often resulting in hip fractures or concussions. An estimated 25%-75% of those who are independent before a hip fracture can neither walk independently nor achieve their previous level of independent living within one year following their fracture. Most alarming is that between 18%-33% of older hip fracture patients die within 1 year of their fracture.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in 2000, the total direct cost of all fall injuries for people 65 and older exceeded $19 billion. The financial toll for older adult falls is expected to increase as the population ages, and may reach $54.9 billion by 2020 (adjusted to 2007 dollars).
Aging is not an automatic cause for falls in the home. Falls among seniors are usually associated with dizziness and balance problems attributed to lack of exercise, medications, failing eyesight, Vitamin D deficiency and hazards in the home.
Following are the five most common steps to take to prevent at-home falls:
I’m often called into a home to conduct a falls assessment so I can eliminate barriers that may contribute to a fall. I also work with seniors and family caregivers to teach them proper techniques for improving balance and preventing falls.