Falls Prevention

Death rates from falls have risen sharply over the past 10 years, becoming the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults.

QUICK FACTS:

• One out of three adults over age 65 will fall each year, resulting in direct medical costs of about $30 billion annually.
• In 2010, some 2.3 million seniors were treated in hospital emergency departments following falls, and 21,700 died of injuries sustained in a fall.

• Residents of assisted living or skilled nursing facilities are twice as likely to fall as those who live independently.
• Florida, for its part, is well below the national average for fall-related injuries in nursing homes.

Older adults can reduce their chances of falling through various methods:

• Exercise and stay mobile. Such movement-oriented activities as Tai Chi, stretching and walking can help significantly.
• Review medications with a physician to identify those that can cause dizziness or drowsiness.
• Go for regular eye exams, and keep any eyeglass prescriptions up to date.
• Reduce or eliminate tripping hazards in hallways, add guardrails in showers and bathrooms, and improve lighting in your home.
• Identify and/or treat osteoporosis.

Where to turn for more info:

• Falls Among Older Adults: An Overview
  (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Simple Tips to Prevent Falls
  (Mayo Clinic)
• The Latest in Falls Prevention
  (National Council on Aging)